| Abstract: | Examined in this study is a potential application of Vernonia galamensis lipase (acetone powder) in enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of seed oils, most especially of those containing reactive functionalities which are easily affected under drastic hydrolytic and methylating/transesterification conditions during fatty acid analysis. Eight seed oils from V. galamensis, Ximenia kaffra, castor, corn, soyabean, palm kernel, sunflower and olive were hydrolyzed by lipase (acetone powder) followed by methylation using diazomethane in ethyl ether. Results obtained showed that the lipolytic hydrolysis of triglycerides by V. galamensis lipase (acetone powder) was probably nonspecific and did not result in isomerization and as such hydrolyzed the triglycerides of the seed oil in a fashion that the resulting fatty acids were unaltered during hydrolysis. The fatty acids obtained were representative of the parent seed oils. Values reported for the various seed oils were similar to those of previous studies. |
