Abstract
A study on Lannea velutina seeds was carried out to establish their chemical compositions. Proximate composition, physicochemical parameters, fatty acids, tocopherols, minerals, amino acids, simple sugars, phytates, fibers and polyphenols of seed kernel and seed oils were evaluated using the pre-established methods. The oil content was 57.3%. Oleic acid (43.9%), palmitic acid (34.9%) and linoleic acid (12.7%) were the most dominant fatty acids. The induction period (Rancimat, 20 L/h, 160°C) was 46.2 h. The iodine value, saponification value, acid value and peroxide value were similar to those of olive oil. γ-Tocopherol (36.1 mg/100 g) is the major tocopherol of seed oils. The protein content of seed kernels was 19.9 ± 0.2%. Cystine acid (56.09%) followed by glutamic acid (11.15%) were the major amino acids. The minerals composition showed that K, follow by P, Ca, Mg and Na were the major minerals. The seed kernel is rich in simple sugars such as α-D-glucose (6489.87 ± 10 mg/kg). The concentration of phytate is about 29.22±0.1 g/kg, with crude fibers content at 20.40±0.07% and polyphenols content of 0.10±0.02%. The results show that L. velutina seed kernels and seed oils could be used in food and food products.
Key words: Lannea velutina, seed oils, amino acids, phytate, fatty acids, minerals, polyphenols.