Studies of Irvingia gabonensis Seed Kernels: Oil Technological Applications

Abstract

Irvingia gabonensis seed kernels of two Congo Brazzaville localities (Ouesso and Sibiti) were analyzed for their main chemical composition. Studies were also conducted on properties of oil extracted from Irvingia gabonensis seed kernels and margarines. The following values were obtained for two seed kernels cultivars respectively: protein (8.33-8.71%), oil (34.28-73.82%), ash (2.06-3.8%) and carbohydrate (15.71-55%). Gas-liquid chromatography revealed that the major fatty acid was, C12:0 (36.6-39.37%), C14:0 (50.92-53.71%) and C16:0 (4.97-5.23%) in oil extracted from Irvingia gabonensis and in the margarines, there is C12:0 (13.7-14.5%), C14:0 (18.46-18.54%), C16:0 (18.81-19.3%) and C18:1n-9 (36.35%), the unsaturated fatty acids such as C16:1 (0.33-0.385%), C18:3n-3 (0.62-0.64%) and C22:1n-9 (0.35-0.38%) are present. The margarines thus manufactured can tolerate temperatures of crackling because their linolenic acid content is lower than 2%. The differential thermal analysis shows the existence of two processes; crystallization and fusion. Crystallization in oil is done between 2 and 2.5^oC and between -3.88 and 5.13^oC in the margarine on the other hand fusion is carried out at high temperatures between 30 and 40^oC. The addition of thin oils to Irvingia gabonensis oil during the margarine manufacture causes: increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content which results in the displacement of the peaks into the low melting point. The small percentages in lauric acid indicate that these greasy substances can be stored for a long time without fearing deterioration due to oxidizing rancidity. The margarine based on Irvingia gabonensis oil is an alternative to the Trans fatty acids obtained during hydrogenation and other reactions used in margarinery.