CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE CYPERACEAE FAMILY 1 THE PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF CYPERUS-ROTUNDUS TUBER CHOQUI

Abstract

Choqui, tuber of Cyperus rotundus of Nigerian origin have been analysed for the its tuber composition using modern standard methods. The tuber is composed of fixed and essential oils. Volatile oils constitutes. The major oil with about ten per cent yield (based on tuber dry weight). Amount of fixed oil in the tuber dry weight was found to be about 2%. Physico-chemical characteristics of the fixed oil showed its iodine value to be 29.2 .+-. 1.8, giving an indication of the preponderance of saturated fatty acids. Saponification value obtained was 137.4 .+-. 3.9 and acid value 26.6 .+-. 0.7. Examination of the volatile oil gave the following characteristics: refractive index (at 27.degree.C) 1.388 and specific gravity (at 27.degree.C) 0.63. Of the entire carbohydrate constituents, starch is the most abundant. Glucose, sucrose, maltose and fructose were all detected in the free sugar fraction of the tuber. Protein and ash contents in the tuber were respectively 4.9 .+-. 0.3% and 3.2 .+-. 0.2%.