Abstract

Oil extracted from Citrullus ecirrhosus seeds was characterised for its physicochemical properties and its fatty acids content. The results of the analysis showed that the oil has saponfication value, acid value, peroxide value, ester value and iodine values in the order of 179.5±14.52, 2.8±0.01, 7.8±0.3, 176.7±14.51 and 107.4±6.39 respectively. The composition of the oil was predominantly unsaturated fatty acids in the following order; Linoleic (62.8 %), Stearic (16.7 %), Palmitic (14.9 %) acids, Oleic (4.5 %) and others (1.1 %). These indicated that the oil posses the potential for Industrial and domestic purposes.

Key words: Citrullus ecirrhosus, seed oil, Fatty acids, Characterisation.