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Characterization of Acanthosicyos horridus and Citrullus lanatus seed oils: two melon seed oils from Namibia used in food and cosmetics applications

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Abstract

The physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid, tocopherol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and 1H NMR profiles of Citrullus lanatus and Acanthosicyos horridus melon seed oils were determined and compared among different extraction methods (cold pressing, traditional, and Soxhlet). The oil content was 40.2 ± 3.45 and 37.8 ± 7.26% for C. lanatus and A. horridus, respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the different extraction methods in the characteristics studied. Physicochemical characteristics of the melon seed oils were saponification value, 180.48–189.86 mg KOH/g oil; iodine value, 108.27–118.62 g I2/100 g oil; acid value, 0.643–1.63 mg KOH/g oil; peroxide value; 1.69–2.98 mequiv/kg oil; specific gravity, 0.901–0.922; and refractive indices, 1.4676–1.4726. The dominant tocopherol was γ-tocopherol with total tocopherol in the range 27.61–74.39 mg/100 g. The dominant fatty acid was linoleic acid in the range 52.57–56.96%. The favorable oil yield, physicochemical characteristics, tocopherol, and fatty acid composition have the potential to replace or improve major commercial vegetable oils and to be used for various applications in the food industry and nutritive medicines.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the funding provided by the National Commission for Research, Science and Technology, Namibia under Project No. Inc/0814/0018, inclusive of a Ph.D. Fellowship Program. Technical assistance provided by the University of the Western Cape and the Central Analytical Facility, University of Stellenbosch is greatly appreciated. The authors thank the local community of the Uutangatse village in Omusati region for sample provision.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

    Natascha Cheikhyoussef & Martha Kandawa-Schulz

  2. Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, Windhoek, Namibia

    Natascha Cheikhyoussef

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

    Ronnie Böck

  4. School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Charles de Koning

  5. Science and Technology Division, Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

    Ahmad Cheikhyoussef

  6. Department of Chemistry, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus, Cape Town, South Africa

    Ahmed A. Hussein

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  1. Natascha Cheikhyoussef
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  2. Martha Kandawa-Schulz
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  3. Ronnie Böck
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  4. Charles de Koning
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  5. Ahmad Cheikhyoussef
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Correspondence to Natascha Cheikhyoussef.

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Cheikhyoussef, N., Kandawa-Schulz, M., Böck, R. et al. Characterization of Acanthosicyos horridus and Citrullus lanatus seed oils: two melon seed oils from Namibia used in food and cosmetics applications. 3 Biotech 7, 297 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-017-0922-3

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