Investigation into Edible and Non-edible Oil Potentials of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) Grown in Nigeria

Oyedele O. A., Oladipo I. O. a

Abstract

Oil is a major source of essential mineral content in the diets of common people in Africa. A large proportion of oil consumed in this part of the world is obtained as agricultural product. Investigation into oil potential of tiger nut was carried out using samples obtained from the Oja-Oba Market in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The nuts were oven-dried at different level of temperature of 50, 55, 60, and 65 and 70⁰C. The dried samples were milled and Oil was extracted from 100 g of milled sample using soxhlet extractor. Proximate analysis was carried out on the oil to determine its physico–chemical properties. The results from the study showed highest oil yield of 23.7 % at 70⁰C and lowest values of 18.7% at 50 ⁰C, highest and lowest Acid value of 1.66 mg/KOH/g at 50 ⁰C and 1.01 mg/KOH/g at 70⁰C. The Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content obtained were 0.84 at 50⁰C and 0.51 at 70⁰C, while Saponification values were 68.83 mg/KOH/g at 50⁰C and 46.26 at 70 ⁰C. The highest Peroxide value of 6.42 was recorded at 70⁰C which dropped to 4.16 at 55 ⁰C. The Refractive Index value of 1.46 is approximately recorded for the temperature. pH levels of 6.1was recorded for all the temperatures. The moisture content recorded were 27.36% at 50 ⁰C and 17.08% at 700C. When compared with other oil seeds commonly grown in West African Sub Region, tiger possess a high level of commercial value that could meet the need of domestic and industrial oil demand of this region.