Abstract

Proximate composition, energy content and mineral concentrations of okra seeds grown in two locali-ties of Congo Brazzaville were investigated. The paper also reports the physicochemical characteristics of the oil extracted from the seeds. Ash was highest (5.84±0. 2%) in Dolisie okra seeds (DOS) followed by Brazzaville okra seeds (BOS) with a value of 5.52±0.34%. Protein ranged from 25.48±0.57% in DOS to 23.73±0.35% in BOS. Crude fat content is of 29.31±0.83% for BOS and 25.71±0.44 % for DOS. Total carbohydrates were generally high in all the seeds and ranged from 31.84% in BOS to 231.27% in DOS. The seeds were found to be good sources of minerals. Phosphorus (1755.95–1464.87 mg/100 g), magne-sium (3895.67–2743.5 mg/100 g) and potassium (124.59-116.05 mg/100 g), were highest in two okra seeds cultivars. The physical properties of the oil extracts showed the state to be liquid at room temperature and the colour to be golden-yellow, in general. Thermal analysis show that fatty acids melting point was lowest ranged between -25°C and +6.55°C. Gas liquid chromatography revealed that the major fatty acid was linoleic acid (34.89-44%), palmitic acid (25.2-28.3%) and oleic acid (21.9-24.08%). Abelomschus esculentus seeds oil (AESO) content long chain poly unsaturated acids as eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and erucic acid (1.1–4.1%). It can be inferred that the oil seeds investigated are good sources of crude fat, crude protein, ash and minerals. The oil extracts exhibited good physicochemical properties and could be useful as edible oils and for industrial applications.

Key words: Nutritive values, unconventional oilseeds, Abelomschus esculentus seeds, erucic acid, essential fatty acid, activation energy.