Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Monodora myristica, commonly known as ehuru, is a plant native to West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, known for its aromatic seeds and oil content. This study focused on the extraction and analysis of myristic oil from Monodora myristica seeds. The extraction process involved the use of Soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether as the solvent. The extracted oil was then subjected to various analytical techniques including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify and characterize the chemical components present in the myristic oil. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various compounds in the myristic oil, with myristic acid being the major component. Other identified compounds included palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. These fatty acids are known for their potential health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The FTIR analysis provided further insights into the functional groups present in the myristic oil, confirming the presence of characteristic peaks associated with esters, alkenes, and alkyl groups. The extraction yield of myristic oil from Monodora myristica seeds was determined to be X%, indicating the efficiency of the extraction process. The physical properties of the extracted oil, such as color, odor, and viscosity, were also evaluated to provide a comprehensive characterization of the myristic oil. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful extraction of myristic oil from Monodora myristica seeds using Soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether. The analysis of the extracted oil using GC-MS and FTIR techniques provided valuable information about the chemical composition and functional groups present in the myristic oil. The identification of myristic acid as the major component highlights the potential nutritional and medicinal value of the extracted oil. Further studies could explore the bioactive properties of myristic oil and its potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

As a result of the increase in the demand for oils and fats for both industrial and consumption purposes, frantic efforts have been initiated through research and experiments to find out as much sources of oil and fats as possible. Before now, oils and fats used by man were those obtained from animals, but presently, efforts through research and experiments have revealed a lot of plant sources of fats and oils to meet the observed increment in demand. These plants oils are otherwise known as vegetable oil and are obtained either from the seeds or the nuts of a plant. Examples of these oils are myristic oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, oil bean seed oil, coconut oil among others.

As stated above, one of the fruits borne by the frantic efforts to find suitable alternatives to animal sources of oils and fats is the discovery of myristic oil. Myristic oil is an extract from monodora myristica (Ehuru) of the family annonaceae. The oil is gotten from the seeds of the tree plant, which its seeds, are commonly used in the flavouring of food. Apart from the use of its seeds in food flavouring myristic oil is a very good edible oil it contains about 25% yield of the edible oil and 5% of volatile oil. (Van Oss 1975). Myristic oil just like other vegetable oils can be obtained by soxhlet extraction method, cold method, steam distillation among other extraction techniques.

Here in the eastern part of Nigeria, Monodora myristica is major grown in Nsukka, Enugu State. The tree considerably call and well branched. The fruits are round and big like that of bread fruit; containing numerous shelled seeds within the inner mass of the fruits. The seeds are capsular in shape and remain the base for its propagation. The fruit detatches and falls on the ground when riped; and the harvesting is done after the fruit must have decomposed. The harvesting period is 10th to 12th months of the year. (Okafor 1983). The seeds dishes out or powerful fragrance hence its use in the flavouring of food.
The English name for Monodora Myristica is Africa nut meg while its local name is Ehuru.

1.1 AIM

The aim of this research work is to extract and characterized myristic oil in order to ascertain its usefulness either as an edible oil or an industrial oil.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

There has been high consumption demand on common oils such as palm oil, groundnut oil, coconut oil etc; which has consequently brought about an increase in the cost of these oils. Ascertaining the consumption viability of myristic oil would attract people’s interest in using it; thereby solving the problem of high demand and the consequent high cost on those common oils.

1.3 LIMITATION

The raw material (Monodora myristica) is seasonal and presently, it is scarce and costly.

1.4 JUSTIFICATION

Through this work, people will become aware that Monodora myristica is not only used in food flavouring, rather it also serves as good source of edible oil.

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