Extraction and Quality Evaluation of Sandbox Tree Seed (Hura crepitan) Oil

The seed and seed oil from sandbox, Hura crepitans were investigated to establish their composition and utility as a base material. Powdered seeds from H. crepitans were soxhlet-extracted with petroleum ether between 40-60°C to yield a golden-yellow oil. Proximate analyses and chemical characterization of the seed oil were carried out using the standard procedures of American Oil Chemist Society. Mineral compositions of the seeds were obtained by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy while the fatty acid composition of the seed oil was analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy. Proximate analyses of the seeds showed that Hura crepitans seed is very rich in crude protein, crude oil and energy content. Physico-chemical properties of Hura crepitan seed oil gave: Colour-Golden Yellow and showed a high saponification value and low acid value, average molecular weight of glycerides is higher in the oil as reflected by the ester value. The iodine value of Hura oil was found to be high as well with a low peroxide value was observed. Analyses of the mineral composition of Hura. crepitans seed revealed an indication of high concentrations of magnesium and very low to no presence of heavy metals. The Fatty acid composition of Hura crepitans seed oil gave Total Saturated8.994 and Total Unsaturated-66.483 and revealed that oleic acid (63.20%) and stearic acid (4.59%) are the most abundant unsaturated and saturated fatty acids respectively. Rheological properties of the seed oil studied under ambient temperature and after pre-heating at 40, 60 and 80°C revealed that the oil sample exhibited nonNewtonian properties. From these results, Hura crepitans seed oils have great potentials as a nutritionally promising oil and with its high Saponification and Iodine values, it will be a good source of drying oils for solvent based paint and for a variety of industrial applications.