Proximate and Physicochemical Analyses of Citrullus Colocynthis (Bitter Apple) Seed

Abstract

The aim of this study is to efficiently determine the physico-chemical content and nutritional value present in the extract of Citrullus colocynthis using the best readily available method. Seed oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor and n-hexane as solvent after which it was subjected to physicochemical characterization. The proximate analysis showed that the Citrullus colocynthis seed contained 4.93% moisture, 12. 06% crude protein, 4.35% ash and 45.83% crude fibre, 8.16% lipid and 24.67% carbohydrate. The oil was liquid at room temperature with physico-chemical characteristics like iodine value of 11.33, acid value of 3.86(mg KOH/g of oil), saponification value of 171.09 and specific gravity of 0.92.The result shows that the seed of Citrullus colocynthis is a potential source of valuable oil with nutritional values.