Comparative Analysis of Some Selected Citrus Seeds Oil from North Central, Benue State, Nigeria

The physicochemical properties of oils from citrus seeds of different species; tangerine (citrus reticulate), sweet orange (citrus sinesis), lime (citrus aurantifolia) and Grape (citrus paradise) were investigated. The seeds of each species were collected from the central zone of plateau state, washed, sun dried for three days and finally crushed with mortar and pestle. One hundred grams (100 g) of each seeds were measured for oil extraction using n-hexane with soxhlet extractor for six hours. The percentage yield and moisture content of each oil extracted from seeds of each species were determined. The physicochemical properties for seeds were also carried out using Wijs method for Iodine value and Titration method for Acid value, Saponification value, Peroxide value and Free Fatty Acids. The results reveals that the moisture content ranges from 2.25 – 4.08 %, percentage yield 30 – 42.20 %, iodine value 78.32 – 98.04 gI2/g, acid value 2.06 – 4.44 %, saponification value 187.38 – 196.06 mgKOH/g, peroxide value 36.52 – 53.57 mEq/kg, free fatty acid 1.41 – 8.74 % and density 0.78 – 0.96 gml-1. The result obtained indicates that oils from these seeds can be used as raw material for the production of cosmetics, soap and domestic cooking.