Extraction, Characterisation and Industrial Applications of Sesamum indicum Seed Oil

Abstract

Oil was extracted from ground Sesamum indicum seeds by solvent extraction method using Soxhlet extractor and n-hexane as the solvent. The percentage oil yield on weight of the dried seeds was 32%. The oil quality parameters were accessed in terms of acid value, free fatty acid value, saponification value, iodine number and peroxide value. The results obtained showed the oil to be non drying oil with iodine value of 76.56 g/100 g and could be used for skin cream production. The acid and free fatty acid values of Sesamum indicum seed oil showed that the oil would not require any purification before use. The saponification value of 55.90 mg/g suggested that the oil could be used for soap production. The results confirmed that the oil could also be used for grease production, alkyd resin and paints.