Abstract

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM BALANITES AEGYPTIACA PLANT (SEED)

Haftu G. Alemayehu*

Abstract

Balanites Aegyptiaca is deep rooted arid zone tree has a very wide natural range. The tree is value for its fruits and seeds. The Balanite Aegyptiaca seeds are good source of oil, which can be used as a diesel substitute. In this paper, Balanite Aegyptiaca oil was extracted from the seeds using n-hexane (60 oC) by using sohxlet extraction method. The oil yield was 87% and the Physico-chemical properties of the oil investigated were Acid value (1.25), saponification value (28), iodine value (62.2), peroxide value (6), specific gravity (0.9), and viscosity (26.5). By using Gas Chromatography (GC) three fatty acids in the extracted oil were identified as; Linoliec acid, Palmitic acid, and Stearic acid with 75.87%, 14.70%, and 9.40% respectively. The oil exhibited high oil content and good Physico-chemical properties which resemble within ASTM 6751 standard specifications.

Keywords: Physic-chemical properties, Balanites, Oil, Gas Chromatography, n-hexane