Physico-chemical Characteristics of Washingtonia robusta Fruit Oil

Abstract

The fruit seed kernel oil from Washingtonia (W. robusta) locally in Aswan governorate, Egypt were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, and composition of fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols. The contents of carbohydrates, fiber, protein and ash for W. robusta palm fruits were 47.00, 6.50, 5 and 4.2%, respectively. The oil content in the seed kernels was 32.80%. The extracted oil had as refractive index (at 20 o C) 1.46, specific gravity (at 20 o C) 0.92, colour (yellow, 3.5; red 0.09), average iodine value (g of I/100g oil) 87.68; acid value (% oleic acid) 0.22%