Evaluation and characterisation of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad seed oil: comparison with Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil.

The physicochemical properties, fatty acid, tocopherol, thermal properties, 1H NMR, FTIR and profiles of non-conventional oil extracted from Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad seeds were evaluated and compared with conventional sunflower seed oil. In addition, the antioxidant properties of C. colocynthis seed oil were also evaluated. The oil content of the C. colocynthis seeds was 23.16%. The main fatty acids in the oil were linoleic acid (66.73%) followed by oleic acid (14.78%), palmitic acid (9.74%), and stearic acid (7.37%). The tocopherol content was 121.85 mg/100 g with γ-tocopherol as the major one (95.49%). The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the oil was thermally stable up to 286.57 °C, and then began to decompose in four stages namely at 377.4 °C, 408.4 °C, 434.9 °C and 559.2 °C. The present study showed that this non-conventional C. colocynthis seed oil can be used for food and non-food applications to supplement or replace some of the conventional oils

Bitter and sweet lupin (Lupinus albus L.) seeds and seed oils : a comparison study of their compositions and physicochemical properties

In this study, bitter and sweet lupin (Lupinus albus L.) seed oils (BLO and SLO) were extracted using the soxhlet extraction method. The physicochemical properties, fatty acid compositions, thermal properties, 1H NMR, FTIR and UV visible spectra of BLO and SLO were evaluated. In addition, the antioxidant properties of bitter and sweet lupin seeds and their oils were also studied. The results showed that the bitter and sweet lupin seeds consist of 8% and 12% of oil, respectively. BLO and SLO contained high concentration of oleic acid (46.28 and 48.72%), followed by linoleic acid (21.55 and 20.90%), linolenic acid (7.69 and 8.95%), and palmitic acid (7.39 and 7.5%). The total tocopherol content of BLO and SLO were 184.70 and 317.01 mg/100 g oil, respectively. TG/DTG curves showed that the process thermal decomposition of the oils occurs in four phases for SLO and three phases for BLO

Post-functionalization of polymeric mesoporous C@Zn coreeshell spheres used for methyl ester production

In the present study, the mesoporous carbon@zinc (C@Zn) core-shell spheres were hydrothermally synthesized, using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the surfactant and d-glucose as the pore forming agent. Then, the post-sulfonation treatment was carried out to prepare polymeric mesoporous SO3H-ZnO catalyst. The physicochemical, structural, textural and morphological properties of the synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), surface area analysis (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller equation), temperature programed desorption (TPD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The polymeric mesoporous SO3H-ZnO catalyst owned a high surface area of 396.56 m2/g with the average pore size of 3.45 nm and acid strength of 1.92 ± 0.05 mmol/g. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst was further studied via esterification of the palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), using a microwave-assisted technique. The biodiesel yield of 91.20% was achieved under the optimized esterification conditions as follows: the methanol to PFAD molar ratio of 9:1, catalyst concentration of 1.5 wt%, reaction temperature of 90 °C and reaction time of 15 min. The spent mesoporous catalyst was highly stable for reuse with nine continuous runs without further treatment

Yucca aloifolia seed oil: a new source of bioactive compounds

Yucca aloifolia Linn (Y. aloifolia), also known as Spanish bayonet, is a drought-tolerant plant containing important bioactive compounds in various parts of the plant. Y. aloifolia is used as a natural medicinal herb. The purpose of the present study was to characterize and evaluate the seed oil extracted from Y. aloifolia seeds. The oil content of the seeds was 16.23%. The principal fatty acids in the oil were linoleic acid (73.38%), oleic acid (13.52%) and palmitic acid (8.18%). The oil has high vitamin E activity because of an appreciable concentration of tocols (204 mg/100 g), particularly tocotrienols, which represent 79% of the total amount of tocols. Tocotrienols have powerful antioxidant, anticancer, neuro/cardio protective and cholesterol-lowering properties. The thermal profile of Y. aloifolia seed oil was examined differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Y. aloifolia seed oil is considered to be healthy dietary oil

Characterization of ternary blends of vegetable oils with optimal ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid ratios

An optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 (ω-6/ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the diet prevents the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize ternary oil blends with optimal ω-6/ω-3 ratios using olive (OL), sunflower (SU), and cress (CR) oils. The oxidative stability, thermal profile, fatty acid (FA) and tocopherol compositions, and the physicochemical properties of the blends were used to determine their quality. Oil mixtures were prepared with 2, 3, 4, and 5 ω-6/ω-3 ratios. FA composition and tocopherol content were the most important factors affecting the oxidation and thermal stabilities of the oils. All oil mixtures showed good quality indices. Thus, synthetized oil blends with high oxidative stability, high antioxidant content, optimal ω-6/ω-3 ratios, and recommended FA compositions can influence human health. The composition of healthy oil blends with optimal ω-6/ω-3 ratios was expressed mathematically and depicted graphically in a ternary diagram

Characteristics of Chamaerops humilis L. var. humilis seed oil and study of the oxidative stability by blending with soybean oil

Herein we examine the characteristics of date seed oil extracted from Chamaerops humilis L. var. humilis seeds (HSO) cultivated in a gardening zone in Tunisia. Its physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and thermal and antioxidant properties were evaluated and compared with those of seed oil from another variety of Chamaerops humilis. The results showed that HSO possessed higher contents of oleic (44%) and linoleic (20%) acids than the other seed oil. The total tocopherol and tocotrienol content was 88 mg/100 g oil, where α-tocotrienol (64%) was the major isomer. The total phenolic (91 μg/g oil) and flavonoid contents (18 μg/g oil) of the HSO were determined, and its antioxidant capacities, measured in terms of ABTS and DPPH radical-scavenging capacities, were 210 µM TEAC/g DW and 4.3 mM TEAC/g DW, respectively. The oxidative stability index (OSI) of the oil was 16 h at 110 °C. Furthermore, the OSI of soybean oil was significantly enhanced upon blending with HSO. HSO exhibited higher thermal stability than the other oils and significantly different thermal behavior. The determination of fatty acid composition, physicochemical properties, bioactive content, oxidative stability, and thermal behavior of HSO demonstrated that this renewable resource can be used for edible purposes

Exhaust emission profiling of fatty acid methyl esters and NOx control studies using selective synthetic and natural additives

The present study was focused on the optimized biodiesel production using Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) and rice bran oils, characterization, and comparative evaluation of the exhaust emission profile using artificial and natural additives resulting from synthesized biodiesel. Furthermore, various biodiesel blends (B10, B20, B50, and B100) of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) and rice bran oils were studied in a four-cylinder, direct injection engine at different engine speeds (1800–3000 rpm). The optimal yields (%) for both the M. oleifera and rice bran oil-based biodiesel were found to be 87 ± 2.0 and 93 ± 2.6%, respectively, using sodium methoxide as the catalyst. The optimized reaction parameters involved in the transesterification of the M. oleifera and rice bran oils were revealed to be catalyst concentration (1.25%), methanol-to-oil molar ratio (9:1), reaction temperature (60 °C), and reaction time (90 min). The fuel properties of the M. oleifera and rice bran oil-based biodiesel were found to be in compliance with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. The exhaust emission levels of the synthesized biodiesel and its blends with conventional diesel showed a significant reduction in the particulate matter and carbon monoxide levels comparative to the fossil fuel-based diesel combustion, whereas an increasing trend was observed in case of the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission. The results of the engine performance test indicated that the brake power in all of the samples had approximately similar values for each load and the enriched blends showed a distinct improvement in brake-specific fuel consumption. The effect of antioxidants on the NOx emission levels resulting from the combustion of the biodiesel and its blends showed that the synthetic additives (butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA), butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), t-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), and propyl gallate (PG)) were more effective than the natural methanolic antioxidant extracts (extract of P. pinnata (EPPL), extract of A. lebbeck (EPPL), extract of P. guajava (EPG), and extract of M. azedarcah (EMA) for reduction in the NOx emission level

Chamaerops humilis L. var. argentea André date palm seed oil: a potential dietetic plant product

Chamaerops humilis L. var. argentea André (C. humilis) date palm seeds are an underutilized source of vegetable oil, and no studies describing their physicochemical characteristics to indicate the potential uses of this seed or seed oil have been reported. The oil content of the seeds is about 10%, mainly composed of oleic acid (38.71%), l.uric acid (21.27%), l.noleic acid (15.15%), palmitic acid (9.96%), and stearic acid (7.17%). The tocol (tocopherols and tocotrienols) content is 74 mg/100 g, with δ-tocotrienol as the major contributor (31.91%), followed by α-tocotrienol (29.37%), γ-tocopherol (20.16%), and γ-tocotrienol (11.86%). Furthermore, this oil shows high thermal stability. The differential scanning calorimetery curves revealed that the melting and crystallization points are 9.33 °C and -15.23 °C, respectively. Practical Application: The study revealed that C. humilis seed oil has a great nutritional value. The consumption of this oil, either directly or via many food products, could possibly prevent many diseases, including coronary disease. These findings should make this oil of interest for several food and nonfood applications. C. humilis palms can be easily propagated by seeds. C. humilis dates are a potential source of l.w-cost seed oil, and the l.rge-scale cultivation of this crop can yield positive socioeconomic benefits to rural communities wherever date palm tree will grow

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit seed oil: characterization and uses

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (coffee bush) is a strictly tropical species that requires warm temperatures for optimal growth. It is drought-tolerant (even during establishment) and can withstand up to 7 months of dry season. L. leucocephala oil extracted from seeds was analyzed to determine it possible uses. The oil content of the seeds was 5.44% and mainly consisted of linoleic acid (51.65%), oleic acid (21.40%), palmitic acid (13.21%) and stearic acid (5.92%). This oil has high vitamin E activity because of its concentration of α-tocopherol (175.47 mg/100 g). The weak acid and peroxide values (0.6% and 3.56 mequiv.·O2/kg oil, respectively) were indicators of the good quality of the oil. L. leucocephala showed high thermal stability (up to 255.47 °C) and some absorbance in the UV-B and UV-C ranges. The results showed that this new seed oil can be used as an ingredient in cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations