PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND OIL PHYSIOCHEMICAL OF WATERMELON (Citrus lanatus) AND GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogea) SEEDS.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) and Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seeds are well known in Nigerian modern and traditional system for their modern and traditional uses. The powdered products from the seeds were subjected to oil extraction using n-hexane and petroleum ether as solvent. Proximate and physico-chemical analyses of watermelon and groundnut seeds were carried out using standard methods. The results show that seeds contained (4.62±0.11%) moisture contents, (2.93±0.08%) ash contents, (11.53±0.09 %) crude protein, (37.59±0.67 %) crude lipid, (3.21±0.22%) crude fibre, (40.17±1.08%) carbohydrates whereas the groundnut seeds contained (2.07±0.16%) moisture contents, (1.73±0.20%) ash contents, (14.30±0.13%) crude protein, (55.25±0.67%) crude lipid,(3.90±0.09%) crude fibre, (22.53±0.72%) carbohydrates respectively. Physico-chemical characteristics showed that the pale yellow oil had specific values were (84.5±1.45g/100g) iodine value, (180.05±1.44mgKOH/g) saponification value, (7.25±0.22mEq/kg) peroxide value, (2.69±0.14%) free fatty acid, whereas groundnut seeds oil had (64.29±1.02g/100g) iodine value, (135.92±1.29mgKOH/g) saponification value, (10.49mEq/kg) peroxide value, (3.54±0.44%) free fatty acid respectively. The chemical composition of both the seeds also indicated that the seeds are very good sources of nutrients especially carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The physico-chemical parameters of watermelon and groundnut seeds were successfully determined and appeared to be within the acceptable limits for consumption.