Evaluation of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) Seed Oil as a Potential Feedstock for ...

Aims: Assess the potential for African Star Apple seed oil to be used as an industrial raw material, with the goal of converting waste into resources with minimal negative consequences since it is nearing food scarcity. Moreover, revealing the possibility of a sustainable future by the removal of waste from the environment, resulting in a clean environment. Between November 2019 and March 2020, fresh ripped African Star Apple fruits were purchased from some local market sellers at Agbarha-Otor market, which is located in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria on longitude 6° 2' 54" E /5° 30' 40" N. The oil extraction of 100 g per batch of extraction was done using soxhlet extraction with n-hexane as the solvent. Prior to transesterification, an oil pretreatment procedure was carried out. This research used a homogenous base-catalyzed transesterification reaction with temperature, reaction time, methanol to oil molar ratio, and catalyst under carefully regulated experimental conditions. type and concentration were investigated over a wide range of values in order to find the best experimental conditions for the reaction. The physicochemical properties of extracted seeds oil were determined using standard methods, including: Normal methods were used to determine specific gravity, acid value, refractive index, saponification value, iodine value, and free fatty acid. The results revealed a 14.9 percent oil yield, indicating that the seed represents a weak source of abundant oil. Specific gravity, refractive index, and specific gravity were discovered to be the most important physiochemical properties. The values for saponification, acid, free fatty acid, and iodine were 0.896 kg/m3, 1.549, 231.32 mgKOH/g, 3.23 mgKOH/g, 2.07 percent, and 47.63 mg/100 g, respectively. In addition, here are the results for Methanol: The maximum yield was obtained when the oil ratio was 6:1. For both catalysts, the maximum conversion efficiency for molar concentration was 0.75 percent. A reaction time of 125 minutes, on the other hand, predicted a higher yield. Conclusion: Since African star fruit seeds are discarded as waste, their use as a source of oil for industrial feedstock and other domestic purposes poses no threat to food security. Because of its low iodine content, it has a non-drying potential, making it an ideal lubricating oil for industrial use. Similarly, Because of its low acid value, the oil's possible use as a feedstock for biodiesel production is justified. To summarise, the seeds' oil volume capacity for use as edible (domestic) and industrial oil may be insufficient. As a result of its low yield, its commercial application for biofuel production is ruled out.

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