Extraction And Determination Of Physico-Chemical Properties Of Watermelon Seed Oil Citrullus Lanatus L For Relevant Uses

ABSTRACT Oil extract from a number of fruits nuts and seeds are used in cooking soap making and as ingredient in confectioneries of baked or fried foods. Seeds of many edible fruit are often thrown out as waste despite. They are important source of edible oils and potential source of high quality protein and vitamins. Dried and pulverized watermelon seed Citrullus lanatus L family Cucurbitaceae was extracted with solvent extraction method using hexane solvent at 60-70 oC. The physiochemical properties estimated for the extracted oil include Acid Value Saponification value Iodine value Percentage oil content Moisture content Specific Gravity Refractive Index Viscosity and PH with values of 2.37 mgNaOHg 183.13 mgNaOHg 121.51 Wijs 45.77 2.04 0.85 1.47 2.48 St and 6.40 respectively. The yield of 41.320.5 per 100gm of pulverised seed was appreciable and could be used domestically for commercial purposes and as complimentary vegetable oil rather than as waste where the crop is grown in abundance.