Functional and Physicochemical Properties of Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) Seed and Seed-Oil

Abstract

The functional properties as well the physicochemical properties of watermelon seed and seed-oil were analyzed. The functional properties of the seed revealed that oil and water absorption capacities for the seed were 123.5 ± 0.5 % and 116.3 ± 0.1%. The foaming capacity and stability (after 2 hr) in % were found to be 23.5± 0.1% and 62.5± 0.2% respectively while emulsion stability gave 0.325± 0.001%. Physicochemical properties of the oil extract from the seed using soxhlet extractor revealed the followings; iodine and acid values in mgKOH/g and saponification value in mgKOH/100g were 148.5 ± 0.5, 74.5 ± 0.5 and 3.4 ± 0.1 respectively. Peroxide value of the oil was found to be 2.8± 0.1meq/kg while specific gravity determination gave 0.91. The low acid, iodine and peroxide values of the oil coupled with favourable functional properties makes the seed and the oil suitable for human consumption and therefore the result of this research work would provide further information on the domestic and industrial usage of seed and seed-oil