African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of Zimbabwean tobacco varieties for potential as a source of tobacco seed oil (TSO)

Cabinet C. Musuna-Garwe
  • Cabinet C. Musuna-Garwe
  • Department of Analytical Chemistry, Tobacco Research Board, P. O. Box 1909, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Bellington Mudyawabikwa
  • Bellington Mudyawabikwa
  • Matopos Research Centre, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, P. O. Box 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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Susan Dimbi
  • Susan Dimbi
  • Department of Analytical Chemistry, Tobacco Research Board, P. O. Box 1909, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Dahlia Garwe
  • Dahlia Garwe
  • Department of Analytical Chemistry, Tobacco Research Board, P. O. Box 1909, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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  •  Received: 19 January 2023
  •  Accepted: 21 April 2023
  •  Published: 30 June 2023

Abstract

The impending curtailment of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) use in its traditional smoking form demands that economies previously dependent on tobacco as a cash crop find alternative sources of income. Alternatively, to enable the continued use of existing infrastructure and experience by growers, these economies could continue to grow the crop for other uses. The objective of this trial was, therefore, to explore alternative uses of tobacco, namely as a source of tobacco seed oil (TSO). Laboratory trials were conducted to optimize for TSO extraction, and to quantify and qualify the oil content of tobacco seed varieties from the Tobacco Research Board’s tobacco germplasm collection. The quality of the extracted oil was assessed for acid, iodine and saponification values, free fatty acid content and specific gravity. The solvent extraction method, optimized for the local conditions was used for the extraction process. Results showed that the tested tobacco varieties contained 29-40% oil. Average values of density of 0.8937 g/mL, viscocity of 126.6 centipoise at 24.6°C, saponification value of 206.36 mg KOH/g oil, acid value 2.76 mg KOH/ g oil and iodine # of 145.75gI2 were observed.

Key words: Parentals, hybrids, tobacco seed oil, fatty acids.