Thesis Abstract

ABSTRACT Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, commonly known as velvet bean, is a leguminous plant that has gained significant attention due to its various pharmacological properties. This study focused on the extraction and characterization of white Mucuna pruriens var. utilis seed oil. The seeds were collected, cleaned, and subjected to solvent extraction using hexane as the solvent. The extracted oil was then analyzed for its physicochemical properties, including fatty acid composition, iodine value, saponification value, and unsaponifiable matter content. The results revealed that the oil content in white Mucuna pruriens var. utilis seeds was approximately 11.5%. Gas chromatography analysis indicated that the oil was predominantly composed of unsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid (C181) being the most abundant fatty acid, followed by linoleic acid (C182) and palmitic acid (C160). The iodine value of the oil was found to be 105.6 g I2/100g, indicating its potential application in various industrial processes. The saponification value of the oil was determined to be 188.5 mg KOH/g, suggesting its suitability for soap production. Furthermore, the unsaponifiable matter content of the oil was found to be 1.6%, indicating the presence of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, sterols, and hydrocarbons. These compounds contribute to the oil's antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. Overall, the characterization of white Mucuna pruriens var. utilis seed oil demonstrated its nutritional value and potential industrial applications. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the extraction and characterization of white Mucuna pruriens var. utilis seed oil. The oil was found to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids, with favorable physicochemical properties for various industrial applications. The presence of bioactive compounds further enhances the oil's nutritional value and potential health benefits. Future research could focus on exploring the antioxidant and health-promoting properties of white Mucuna pruriens var. utilis seed oil in depth, as well as investigating its potential applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1   PREAMBLE

In our world today, the geometric increase of the population has raised alarming concerns on the food security to sustain the teeming population (Sridhar, 2007). The worse hit is developing countries in Africa, especially Nigeria that still lacks the capacity to manage food production tasks arising from the current global warming and other environmental changes. The few food products usually lack adequate proteins, essential fatty acids and vitamins leading to the common form of malnutrition in individuals. Interestingly, unconventional legumes are promising in terms of nutrition, provisions of food security, agricultural development and in crop rotation in developing countries (Sridhar, 2007). The wild legume varieties have different quantities of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, lipid/fatty acids and minerals.

Mucuna pruriens var.utilis is a tropical legume of the family Fabaceae and genus Mucuna. Some of its common names are Agbara (Igbo), Yerepe (Yoruba), Mauritius bean, cow itch, cow hage, Jackbohne (German). Velvet bean is an annual perennial, herbaceous, vigorous climbing vine that growso 3-18cm in height. It is indigenous of the tropical regions especially Africa, India and the West Indies. Its pods are sigmoid, turgid, longitudinally ribbed and always clustered on the stem and the pods are covered with reddish-orange hairs that dislodge readily causing intense irritation on the skin. The pods contain seeds that are black or white (Siddhuraju, 2000; Leslie, 2005; Sridhar, 2007).

The oil contents of Mucuna seed may be edible and consist of different fatty acid which is a characteristic identify of most oil seeds. The chemical composition of an oil extract gives a qualitative identification of such oil in selection of areas while it can be applied or utilized despite differences in processing and extraction of the oil (Ofoegbu, - 2006). The aim of this work thus is to extract the oil from the white seeds of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, characterize it and determine the applicability, based on the quantities, in industries such beverage, pharmaceutical and/or soap manufacturing.

1.2   OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

This work was inspired by the need to find alternative sources of good oils for human utilization in industries.

1.3   SCOPE OF WORK

This work is intended:

(1) To determine the percentage of oil content of white seeds of Mucuna pruriens var.utilis

(2)   To determine the moisture contents of the seeds used

(3)   To characterize, by obtaining the physio-chemical properties of the oil

(4)  To suggest possible industry the oil can be utilized based on the results and the information provided in literature on oils.