Biochemical Properties and Nutritional Value of Balanites Aegyptiaca (Laloub) Seed Oil

The main goal of this research was to study the physical and chemical properties of Balanites. Aegyptiaca (laloub) oil. Two kilograms of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit were purchased from local market in Omdurman, Sudan. Fruits were then crushed using a steel hammer and seeds were then obtained. One kilogram of seeds was collected and was then ground using grinding machine ground seeds was then eventually ready for further analysis. The seeds of Balanites aegyptiaca were collected, washed and prepared. The seed oil was extracted using soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane as solvent. The percentage yield of oil extraction was (41.9 %). The results revealed that B. aegyptiaca seed contain considerable percentage of moisture (3.27%), fat (41.9), protein (30.9%), fiber (11.34%), ash (3.55%) and carbohydrate (8.9%). Physicochemical analysis of the seed oil was conducted using standard procedures and the following results were obtained; density (0.9091 g/cm3), viscosity (42.71 %), refractive index (1.4734), iodine value (98.09 g/100g), saponification value (194.33 mg KOH/g) and peroxide value (3.08meq/kg), acid value (0.53 mg KOH/g), free fatty acid value (0.26 %) and un-saponification (3.08). This reveals that Balanites aegyptiaca seed oil could be a rich source of oil for domestic and industrial purposes if richly exploited.