Abstract

DETERMINATION OF BETA- CAROTENE AND VITAMIN A [RETINOL] IN PALM OIL FROM TWO VARIETIES OF PALM FRUITS (ELAEIS GUINEESIS TENERA AND DURA)

Ike O. C., Chime C. C. and Ugwu M. C.

Abstract

The two varieties of palm fruits, Elaeis guineansis (Tenera) and Elaeis guineensis (Dura) obtained from Ogbeke, Agbani in Enugu state was carried out to determine the Beta-carotene and Vitamin content using a spectrophotometer method (model 22uv/visible) at wavelength of 436 nm. Determination of the Beta-Carotene obtained for the species were 1.45 x 10-1 mg/ml and 1.47 x 10-9 mg/ml for Dura and Tenera respectively, while Vitamin A were 1.82 mg/ml and 0.335 mg/ml for Dura and Tenera Species respectively. The result revealed that Elaeistenera had a low beta-carotene content and vitamin A concentration than Elaeis-dura in the study.

Keywords: Tenera, Dura, petroleum ether, acetone