Fatty acid and sterol compositions of malagasy tamarind kernel oils

Abstract

The oil contents of six samples of Malagasy tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) kernel were determined by hexane extraction (6.0-6.4%) and chloroform/methanol extraction (7.4-9.0%). The protein contents were very low (trace-0.1%). Investigation by gas liquid chromatography revealed 15 fatty acids, mainly palmitic (14-20%), stearic (6-7%), oleic (15-27%), linoleic (36-49%), arachidic (2-4%), behenic (3-5%) and lignoceric (3-8%) acids. Testing for the sterol fraction enabled seven sterols to be separated and quantitatively analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. The main sterols were β-sitosterol (66-72%), campesterol (16-19%) and stigmasterol (11-14%). © 1983 American Oil Chemists' Society.