Effect of solvent and press extractions on physicochemical properties of oil extracted from dacryodesedulis fruit

Effect of solvent and press extractions on physicochemical properties of oil extracted from Dacryodesedulis fruit were investigated. These oils were obtained through different extraction methods (press-extraction, maceration and extraction by soxhlet). Indeed, press extracted oil has a better yield compared to the others. Analysing the physicochemical parameters, oils obtained from maceration and press of kernels and pulp have an acid value less than 2 mg of KOH/kg of oil; whereas those resulting from extraction by Soxhlet have an acid value greater than 2 mg KOH/kg of oil. The peroxide value of the extracts oils by maceration and press of the kernels and pulp are in agreement with the standard of the codex alimentarius (≤15 mEq O2/kg of oil), while those obtained by soxhlet method are higher values than the norm. These oils have an iodine value which ranges from 90 to 120 g of iodine/100 g of oil, with a saponification value from 100 and 210 mg of KOH/g of oil and a rate of unsaponifiable matters between 1 and 3%.Also, refractive index measured for these different oils varies from 1.455 to 1.490 and their density is between 0.885 and 0.932 mg/mL. Moreover, fatty acid profiles of studied oils highlighted the presence of major fatty acids such as palmitic acid, oleic acid (ω-9) and linoleic acid (ω-6). Results of the study indicated that safou oils could be used in cosmetics and also in human nutrition for prevention against arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.