Nutritional and Physico-chemical Properties of Bombax glabrum Seeds

Abstract

This study evaluates the proximate composition of Bombax glabrum seeds and the physico-chemical properties of the seeds oil. Protein and fat content of Bombax glabrum seeds were 10.23% and 58.23% respectively. Carbohydrate content of the seed was low (16.60%) when compared to other oil seeds like soybeans and groundnut. The relative density of the oil was 1.125. The value was above the recommended codex standard for edible vegetable oils. The refractive index for the Bombax glabrum seed oil was 0.628 which was lower than the standard value obtained for cotton seed oil (1.458-1.466) and groundnut oil (1.460-1.465). Saponification and iodine value obtained were 42.93 mgKOH/g and 3.38 Wij’s. The unsaponifiable matter was 4.20 g/kg and was lower than the values reported for soybeans, cotton seeds etc. Acid value was 0.71 mgKOH/g. The peroxide value (3.64 meq/kg) was lower than the codex standard for edible vegetable oils (10 meq/kg). Moisture content and free fatty acid of the oil were low. The seed is a good source of protein and fat.