Studies on some seeds and seed oils

The chemical compositions of seeds and the physicochemical characteristics of the oils extracted from them have been investigated for six varieties of mango (Mangifera indica) seeds and for five other tropical seeds. The oil contents of Mangifera indica seeds were in the range 12•2–25•8%, while those of the other seeds were as high as 54•7% in Bridelia ferruginea. Characterization of the oils of Mangifera indica varieties showed that they were non-drying, except for Petters-Ibadan which was semi-drying. Of the other tropical seeds, Monodora myristica gave a drying oil, Crysophilum abidum and Bridelia ferruginea gave semi-drying oils, while Canarium schweinfurthii and Khaya senegalensis gave non-drying oils. The chemical compositions of the seeds suggest they may be suitable as animal feeds.