Comparative studies of the lipid characteristics and industrial potential of Coula edulis (African walnut) and Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) seeds

Characterization of oil from African walnut seed and Indian almond seeds was studied by analysing the lipid extracted from the seeds for their saponification value, iodine value, free fatty acid and acid value. The result of the analysis shows that the saponification value, free fatty acid value, acid value and iodine value of Indiana almond seed oil were 217.38mgKOH, 17.108mgKOH, 0.561mgKOH and 2.6649gI2. The corresponding values for the African walnut seed oil were 169.7025mgKOH, 17.484mgKOH, 0.403mgKOH and 2.6645gI2 respectively. There was no significant difference between the lipid content of the two seeds. The values obtained in this study were compared with values reported for other plant seed oil and the oil was found as a suitable for use in paint production. Keywords: oil, African walnut & Indian almond seeds, characterization and industrial potentials Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 12(1) 2006: 65-67