Qualitative Studies on Proximate Analysis and Characterization of Oil From Persea Americana (Avocado Pear)

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the proximate analysis and extraction and characterization of ripe and unripe P.americana . The result reveals that ripe and unripe P.americana contains iodine value ranging from 165.11gI₂/100g to 252.41gI₂/100g and 152.41gI₂/100g to 288.59gI₂/100g respectively. The range of the saponification values in the ripe and unripe P.americana are 58.85mgKOH/g to 168.61mgKOH/g and 62.8mgKOH/g -142.65mgKOH/g respectively. Acid value of both ripe and unripe P.americana ranged between 17.82mgKOH/g to 25.31mgKOH/g and 11.44mgKOH/g to 28.60mgKOH/g respectively. The proximate analysis shows that both ripe and unripe P.americana has moisture which ranged between 67.62% to 73.63% and 29.05% to 51.17% respectively. This signifies that unripe P.americana can be kept for a long period of time without rotting. The ripe pulp contains 4.82% of crude fibre and it also has the highest energy value of 162.58%. Ripe pulp of P.americana contains 2.38% of protein, 13.38% of fat and 8.16% of carbohydrate. It is observed that ripe P.americana contains substantial nutrients that could meet the needs and requirements of the body, thus it is good for human and animal consumption. It can be recommended for inclusion in animal feeds.

Keywords: P.americana, Iodine value, Saponification values, Acid value, Proximate analysis