Characterization of oils and chemical analyses of the seeds of wild plants

Abstract
The Chemical compositions of the seeds of some wild plants have been investigated. The seeds ofHematostaphis berteri, Balanites aegytiaca andXimenia americana contain high levels of oils with values in the range, 38.2–54.5% (w/w). The iodine values of the oils were determined and, forXimenia americana, the value was high, i.e., 149.8 mg/100 g. The storage properties of the oil ofHematostaphis berteri were examined over a period of fifty six days by exposure to light at ambient temperature. The peroxide value of the oil over the period increased by 12-fold of its initial value of 27.5 mEq/kg, suggesting light susceptibility to photo-oxidative degradation. The proximate protein contents were low but the concentrations of mineral elements in the seeds examined were generally high, exceeding the values for the corresponding mesocarps by several orders of magnitude.

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