Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Physicochemical Analysis of Gingerbread plum (Parinari macrophylla) Seed Oil.

Abstract

This work was carried out to determine the potential applications of gingerbread plum seed oil by investigating its phytoconstituents and physicochemical characteristics. The underutilize oil seed from gingerbread plum tree growing in abundance in Niger Republic was exploited. Phytochemical analysis of the seed oil extracted using soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and tannins and absence of Cyanogenic glycosides.The physicochemical analysis of gingerbread plum (Parinari macrophylla) seed oil was carried out and the following results were obtained; Acid value 12.97± 0.01 mg KOH/g, Saponification value 153.30 ± 0.10 , Iodine value 32.07 ±0.01 I2/100g, Free fatty acid 15.10±0.10 ( % Oleic), Peroxide value (meq H2O2) 45.48 ± 0.02. The % yield was 49.3, Color was golden yellow, odour was agreeable, and the oil was liquid at room temperature.Justification of the use of the seed oil for food, medicinal and cosmetic was expatiated.