INFLUENCE OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE YIELD OF MECHANICALLY EXPRESSED NEEM SEED KERNEL OIL

The effect of moisture content on yield of mechanically expressed neem seed kernel oil was investigated. Matured neem seed kernels were obtained and the initial moisture content determined. The initial oil yield in the samples was determined (37.71%) using solvent extraction method. The neem seed kernels were then preconditioned to the following moisture content values: 6.3, 8.1, 13.2 and 16.6 % (wet basis), based on reported values for oil seeds meant for oil extraction; the seed kernels were then subjected to oil extraction using an oil expeller. The recorded oil yield was compared with the initial oil content of the seed kernels. The following oil yield values were obtained at the different moisture content levels: 22.37% (at 6.3% moisture content), 24.86% (at 8.1% moisture content), 21.21% (13.2% moisture content) and 15.62% (at 16.6% moisture content). New Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to determine the differences in the mean treatment effect of moisture content on oil yield.