Seed oils of Acacia holosericea A. Cunn ex G. Don: Characteristics and composition

Abstract

Like the fruits of Elaeis guineensis, the seeds of Acacia holosericea have two types of oils. One is present in the yellow aril (56%), which is attached to the black seed, and the other is in the kernel of the seed (12%). The proximate composition of seed and the physicochemical characteristics of the solvent-extracted oils are reported. The aril fat is quite different from the seed oil in all respects. In descending order, the major fatty acids in aril fat are 18:1 (54.35%), 16:0 (29.3%), and 18:2 (8.0%), whereas in seed (- aril) oil, the order is 18:2 (59.45%) 18:1 (20.2%), and 16:0 (10.0%). In whole seed (+ aril) oil, the order is 18:2 (53.3%), 18.1 (25%), 16:0 (12.6).