By: Onyekwelu J. C.; Ayeni A. A.;
Abstract:
Proximate and antioxidant compositions, yield and characterization of Allanblackia floribunda seed oil were investigated
using appropriate analytical methods. Oil extraction was done with petroleum ether as a solvent for Soxhlet extraction
apparatus. Carbohydrate (33.69%), fat (46.98%) and crude fiber (8.79%) contents of A. floribunda seed were high while
crude protein (9.05%) content was moderate. Moisture (4.35%), ash (1.49%) and all anti-nutrient contents of the seed
were low, implying that A. floribunda seed has high nutritional compositions and that its consumption would not be
detrimental to human health. The seed has high antioxidant compositions with mean phenol, flavonoid, FRAP, ABTS,
DPPH and Fe2+ of 9.75mg.g-1
, 17.73mg.g-1
, 88.4mg.g-1
, 85.5 mMol/g, 29.54% and 20.39%, respectively, suggesting that
the seed is a potential source of natural antioxidants and can be used as supplement in food and nutritional drinks. Mean
oil yield was 46.5%, revealing that it is a high oil-yielding seed. The oil is suitable for human consumption due to its
peroxide value (2.20 mEqO2/kg of oil). The FFA of 1.55mg NaOH/g implies good quality oil that would not easily go
rancid, with long shelf life. To harness the commercial potentials of A. floribunda seed oil, domestication of the species
is recommended.
Keywords: Allanblackia floribunda; forest food tree species; forest food tree species; proximate and antioxidant compositions;
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