CHARACTERISATION OF SEED OILS OF TWO PLANT SPECIES FROM ARID AND SEMI ARID REGION OF RAJASTHAN

Author(s): Seema Parveen*, Mohammed Taufeeque and Abdul Malik

Abstract: Seeds of Asparagus racemosus (family; Asparagaceae) and Xanthium strumarium (family; Compositeae) were investigated for their physico-chemical properties and fatty acid compositions using chemical and analytical techniques. The oil yield from the seed of Asparagus racemosus and Xanthium strumarium was found to be 16.71% and 23.44% respectively, show high saponification and iodine values. Linoleic acid was found major fatty acids in both seed oil. Seed oil of Asparagus racemosus show 67.13% of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and 3.1635 P/S index while seed oil of Xanthium strumarium show 68.33% of PUFAs and 3.7961 P/S index; indicated us to use these parameters to establish them as alternate oil sources for various domestic and industrial purposes. Higher amount of PUFA content in seed oils of both the species made them medicinally important as it lowers the bad cholesterol in human body therefore their oils help in curing cardiac diseases.

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