Proximate, Mineral Composition, Phytochemical Constituents and Characterization of Oil of Citrullus Lanatus Seeds

Abstract

The proximate, mineral compositions, phytochemical constituents and characterization of oil of Citrullus Lanatus were investigated. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was employed in determining the mineral composition of the oil, while standard methods were employed in carrying out the proximate, phytochemicals and characterization of the oil. The proximate composition revealed the presence of moisture 6.61%,ash 3.07%,crude fibre 3.51,crude fat 35.04,crude protein 30.29% and carbohydrate 21.48%.The mineral composition revealed the presence of Nickel 0.00295mg/g, Chromiunm 0.00301mg/g, Manganese 0,002001mg/g, Iron 0.05396mg/g, Copper 0.02736mg/g, Zinc 0.09035mg/g, Magnesium 0.29118mg/g. The phytochemical constituents present were tannins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, volatile oil, balsams and phenols. The physicochemical properties revealed the presence of acid value 2.234mg/NaOH/g, saponification value 227.5618mg/NaOH/g, peroxide value 20.37mEq/kg, free fatty acid 1.1162g,viscosity 44.4mm2/sec, density 0.918g/ml and moisture 0.49%.The results indicated that the Citrullus lanatus seed oil is edible because of the low acid value and free fatty acid value and the seeds contain essential nutrients which compete favourably well with those of other seeds in literature and it is suitable for health benefits.