Extraction and Characterization of Lophira lanceolata Seed Oil for Application on Leather

Abstract

Seed oil is a vegetable oil that is obtained from seed (endosperm) of some plants, rather than the fruit (pericarp). Generally, oil is a liquid, non-polar chemical substance at room temperature with hydrophobic and lipophilic characteristics. The seed oil of Lophira lanceolata (Namijin kade) was extracted using solvent (n-hexane) method of extraction which gave rise to 49.10±0.10% oil yield, and the physico-chemical properties of the oil were analysed using standard official methods. The iodine value was found to be 74.19±0.64mgI2/100g, this suggest that the oil contain mainly saturated fatty acids. Moisture content and ash content of the seeds were found to be 0.73±0.26% and 0.897±0.03% respectively. The refractive index of the oil was 1.347 at 40C. The peroxide value is 2.87±0.12mol.peroxide/Kg. The low peroxide value is an indication of high stability of the oil against further oxidation. The acid value of the oil (1.20±0.13mg/KOH/g of oil) was within the range given by the standard for fatliquor production which is an indication that the Lophira seed oil cannot undergo rancidity easily. The saponification value of the oil was found to be 178.30±0.96mg KOHg-1. The FT-IR spectrum of the oil at various peaks were observed. The carbonyl functional group: –C=O was observed at 1744.4cm-1 frequency and at frequency 3011cm-1, -C=C- in unsaturated hydrocarbon was observed. Finally, the fatty acid fractions of the oil as analysed by the use of GC-MS were found to be Palmitic acid of 62.88%, Linoleic acid of 9.66% and Oleic acid of 4.90% and these fatty acids are peculiar to the synthesis of fatliquor. This oil can have useful properties in the manufacturing of soap, cosmetics and lubricants.