Physio-Chemical Characteristics and Dietary Metal Levels of Oil from Elaeis guineensis Species

Abstract

Three Species of local palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) were harvested and some of their physio-chemical and dietary metal components were analyzed using standard test methods such as Spectrophotometry, Titrametry and Gravimetry. The three species of E. guineensis studied were Elaeis pisifera, Elaeis dura and Elaeis tenera. Determination of the antioxidants as total carotenoids (Vitamin A) and Vitamin E showed that Vitamin A content in E. pisifera, E. dura and E. tenera were 8677.17, 8927.65 and 880.80 ug/g respectively, while Vitamin E obtained for the species were 476.88, 443.52 and 181.92 mg/100 g for Pisifera, Dura and Tenera species respectively. The protein content in the three species (with proximate) also gave 2.21, 2.30 and 2.70% for Pisifera, Dura and Tenera respectively while the iodine values which were determined using Wijis method gave results to be 44.38, 46.93 and 44.05 for Pisifera, Dura and Tenera in that order. The acid value and the saponification values were determined (by titrametric method) in the three species which gave acid value results to be 0.65, 0.67 and 0.57 mgkOH/g for Pisifera, Dura and Tenera respectively while the saponification values where 191.45, 185.77 and 188.48 mgKoH/g for Pisifera, Dura and Tenera in that order. Also the percentage moisture content gave 0.05, 0.04 and 0.05 for the three species in same order above. The dietary magnesium for the Pisifera, Dura and Tenera in that order were 0.95, 1.13 and 0.37 mg/dm³ and 0.08, 0.24 and 0.05 mg/dm³ for dietary zinc. The Dietary calcium level were 0.46, 0.41 and 0.34 mg/dm³ and the potassium 0.46, 0.39 and 0.48 mg/dm³ for Pisifera, Dura and Tenera respectively. The iron concentration levels were 38.30, 67.70 and 78.30 mg/dm³ for the three in the same order above.