Characterization of Hachi (Camelus dromedarius) fat extracted from the hump

Abstract

In this work, the characteristics of fat from the hump of young camels (Hachi) were evaluated. The physicochemical properties of the fat were as follows: melting point, 45 °C; saponification value, 202.3 mg KOH/g oil; refractive index (60 °C), 1.468; unsaponifiable matter, 1.37%; free fatty acids (as the percentage of oleic acid), 0.96%; and peroxide value, 3.37 mequiv. O2/kg oil. High-resolution 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) was used for the direct determination of the iodine value of Hachi fat (62.74 g/100 g oil). The Hachi fat was composed primarily of oleic acid (33.35%), followed by palmitic acid (26.16%), stearic acid (10.07%), palmitelaidic acid (9.56%) and myristic acid (8.83%). The thermal properties were assessed by thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG). The results of the present analytical study showed that Hachi fat could be used in food products and as an important source of biological materials. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.