Evaluation of the Chemical and Oil Composition of Balsam Apple (Momordica balsamina) seed
B. I. Yerima *
Department of Chemistry, Gombe State University, P.M.B 127, Tudun Wada, Gombe State, Nigeria.
A. Umar
Department of Chemistry, Gombe State University, P.M.B 127, Tudun Wada, Gombe State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research is aimed at the proximate chemical analysis of Momordica balsamina seeds with some properties of the oil. The results of the study showed that the seeds has high percentage of crude lipids, (38.77±0.15%) crude carbohydrates, (31.46±0.14%), crude proteins, (20.25±0.10%), moisture content, (5.25±0.25) and crude fibre, (1.67±0.20) as the least, with calorific value of (486.22Kcal) and some selected minerals Na, Mg, Ca, Fe with the concentration, 7.5, 61.5, 42, and 6.2(mg/100 g) respectively. So also, the oil indicated to have acid value of 0.426 and Saponification value of 183.4.Hence Momordica balsamina seeds could be a good source of food supplement.
Keywords: Composition, evaluation, Momordica balsamina, minerals.