Characterization of Lipid Compounds of the Dried Fruits of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich Growing in Sudan

Abstract

Total lipids extracted from the seeds of X. aethiopica were found to be 10%. The oil was analyzed for fatty acids and sterols composition. Thirteen fatty acids were identified, with their methyl esters using GC/MS analytical method. The majority of fatty acids were unsaturated (72%). Oleic acid was the dominant unsaturated fatty acid (69.37%), while the saturated fatty acids represented about 27% of the total fatty acids present in oil from seeds, mainly palmatic acid (15.66%) and stearic acid (9.5 %). The sterols quantification and identification were preformed by analysis of the unsaponifiable matter of the seed oil using GC/MS technique. The level of sterols estimated in the oil was 4.2 g/kg oil. The main component was Sitosterol which represented about 58% of the total sterol content, followed by campesterol (23.5%) and Δ⁵-Avenasterol (12.1%). Cholesterol was found at about 3% of total sterols.