QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF COTTONSEED OIL CAKE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PROTEINS AS A VALUE ADDED PRODUCT

Abstract

Cotton is a major cash crop of Pakistan and cottonseed is available in bulk quantity. Generally, cottonseed is used as one of the sources of edible oil. In the process of oil extraction, oil is extracted either by mechanical means or by chemical means i.e., using solvents. The solid residue (cake) is considered of little value and commonly used as animal feed. In this piece of work, in contrast to conventional approach, we have concentrated to find out the cake as a rich source of protein. The work is based upon the practical evidences of the presence of the bulk amount of protein in cottonseed oil cake. The main theme was to find he protein content in the cottonseed oil cake. For that purpose samples of cottonseed oil cake were collected from five oil mills located in Hyderabad. The samples were then analyzed for moisture, oil and protein content in the laboratory. It was found that the mean value of protein contents is quite high, i.e., 19.06% in addition to moisture content - 9.76% & oil content - 7.78%. The quantity of protein in cottonseed oil cake is sufficient to start commercialization of its use as protein supplement. However, toxic matter (gossypol) is also found in fractions in the cottonseed oil cake, which can possibly hinder the process of its commercialization. Due to the presence of gossypol in the cake it cannot be safely employed for human beings. This problem can possibly be solved if some attention is paid to the elimination of the toxic matter.