Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Citrullus lanatus Var. Colocynthoide Seed Oil

Citrullus lanatus var. Colocynthoide is one of the species of the Cucurbitaceae family which grows abundantly in Sudan. In this study, it was investigated as a new source of vegetable oil. An oil content of 35% was obtained. The extracted oil showed high stability against oxidation, with low level of trace elements and phosphorus compared to other edible vegetable oils. The oil showed high degree of unsaturation, and fatty acid composition was found in the range adopted by Food an Agriculture Organization (FAO). The IR spectrum is typical of that the vegetable edible oil. Most of the physicochemical properties were similar to those reported for cotton seed, groundnut and sunflower seed oils.