Chemical composition of acacia seeds

Abstract

The seeds of 12 species of Acacia, although rich in C-18 unsaturated acids (47.9-93.5%), have low oil content (2.5-10.2%). Highest concentration of octadecatrienoic acid was in A. lenticularis (80.3%), A. suma (76.8%) and A. tortilis (71.7%) oils. A. mollissima was rich in octadecadienoic (69.1%) and A. senegal in octadecenoic (42.5%) acids. All the seed oils showed the presence of epoxy 18:1 acid, 0.6-3.8%. The protein content of the processed seed meals ranged from 13.4-37.2%, the highest being in A. senegal. Fiber content varied from 8.8-11.9%. © 1988 AOCS Press.