Physicochemical Characterization,Fatty Acid And Tocopherol Content of Moringa ovalifolia (African Moringa) Oil From Namibia |
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| Authors: | Natascha Cheikhyoussef Martha Kandawa‐Schulz Ronnie Böck Charles de Koning Ahmad Cheikhyoussef Umar Badeggi Muhammad Ahmed A. Hussein |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Directorate of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Luther Street Government Office Park, Windhoek, Namibia;2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia;3. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Namibia, Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia;4. School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa;5. Science and Technology Division, Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia, 340 Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia;6. Department of Chemistry, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | Moringa ovalifolia tree is indigenous to Namibia and is a multipurpose tree whose leaves, pods, fruits, and flowers are edible. The tree is well adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of the region and easily cultivated. In this paper, we investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the oil extracted from M. ovalifolia seeds collected from Remhoogte Farm, Khomas region, Namibia. The oil yield was 34.86 ± 2.47%. The oil contained a high level of monounsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid (18:1) being the dominant one. The oil had high levels of tocopherol, with a total of 44.56 mg 100 g?1 of oil, comprising α‐tocopherol (33.94 mg 100 g?1), β‐tocopherol (6.64 mg 100 g?1), and δ‐tocopherol (3.98 mg 100 g?1). High levels of stigmasterol (142.41 mg 100 g?1) and β‐sitosterol (330.70 mg 100 g?1) were also detected. The seed oil exhibited good‐quality characteristics, making it a useful new seed oil to be considered for food and nonfood applications. |
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| Keywords: | Namibia Moringa ovalifolia Seed oil Physicochemical characterization Fatty acids Oleic acid |
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