Project Materials

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PYCNANTHUSANGOLENSIS SEED OIL

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Pycnanthus angolensis, sometimes known as African nutmeg, is a tropical tree species found in the rainforests of Central and West Africa. The plant is highly regarded for its traditional uses, which include medical, culinary, and cultural applications.

The seeds of Pycnanthus angolensis are an important component since they contain a lot of oil. Pycnanthus angolensis seed oil has received interest in recent years for its prospective applications in a variety of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Its unique combination of physicochemical features makes it an attractive choice for a variety of commercial applications.

The physicochemical qualities of an oil are vital in assessing its acceptability for various purposes. These features include chemical composition, colour, odour, appearance, density, viscosity, refractive index, pH, stability, thermal behaviour, emulsification, and foaming properties. Evaluating these qualities aids in understanding the oil’s behaviour under various settings and compatibility with other chemicals.

Chemical composition:

Pycnanthus angolensis seed oil’s chemical makeup is mostly governed by its fatty acid profile. Fatty acids are the building blocks of lipids and are responsible for the majority of the oil’s functional qualities and health benefits.

Pycnanthus angolensis seed oil was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which revealed the presence of numerous fatty acids, the most prominent of which were oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and palmitic acid (C16:0).

These fatty acids contribute to the oil’s nutritional value and have been linked to a variety of health advantages, including cardiovascular health and anti-inflammatory properties.

Physical properties:

Physical qualities of an oil provide information on its behaviour and interactions with other substances. The density of Pycnanthus angolensis seed oil is its mass per unit volume, whereas viscosity is its resistance to flow.

These qualities influence the oil’s fluidity and ease of handling in many applications. In contrast, the refractive index assesses the oil’s ability to bend light and is used for quality monitoring. The oil’s pH determines its