Sumbi oil from Katanga and South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Sumbi oil is the seed oil of Aporrhiza nitida Gilg (Sapindaceae), a tropical tree growing in the Eastern provinces of the D. R. Congo. Sumbi oil has a very good storage stability and is rather resistant against oxidation, an important advantage for use as an edible oil in a tropical climate. The fatty acid composition, with high levels of 20:0 and 20:1n-9, is typical for a member of the Sapindaceae. Although Aporrhiza is closely related to cyanolipid-containing genera, cyanolipids were not found in this investigation of sumbi oil. However, a careful examination of different accessions seems necessary. The tocopherols consist primarily of γ-tocopherol.