Preliminary Investigations on the Health Benefits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad Seeds
A. A. Olushola-Siedoks *
Department of Chemical, Fibre and Environmental Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, 3, FIIRO Road, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, 21023, Nigeria.
U. E. Igbo
Department of Chemical, Fibre and Environmental Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, 3, FIIRO Road, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, 21023, Nigeria.
G. O. Asieba
Department of Production, Analytical and Laboratory Management, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, 3, FIIRO Road, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, 21023, Nigeria.
B. I. Ojo
Department of Chemical, Fibre and Environmental Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, 3, FIIRO Road, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, 21023, Nigeria.
T. O. Akinola
Department of Production, Analytical and Laboratory Management, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, 3, FIIRO Road, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, 21023, Nigeria.
C. C. Igwe
Department of Chemical, Fibre and Environmental Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, 3, FIIRO Road, Agege Motor Road, Oshodi, Lagos, 21023, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the composition of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad seed as a means of assessing its health and possible therapeutic benefits.
Study Design: Test-tube Lab Research.
Place and Duration of Study: Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Nigeria, between June 2018 and March 2019.
Methodology: Intact dehulled Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad seeds were analyzed for their proximate and elemental content using standard methods and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The seed oil was extracted with n-hexane via cold maceration and the extracted oil was analyzed for its physiochemical properties. The fatty acid profile was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Results: The proximate analysis values were determined to be 6.51%, 51.46%, 21.62%, 13.26%, 3.76% and 3.39% for the moisture, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, ash and total carbohydrate content respectively. Results of the elemental analysis show the seed contains; 3653.0322 mg/kg Na, 6639.7818 mg/kg K, 2329.0612 mg/kg Ca, 235.6057 mg/kg Fe, 5252.5884 mg/kg Mg, 27.9056 mg/kg Zn and 7.0068 mg/kg Pb. The predominant fatty acid detected with an area percentage of 20.31 was cis-11-octadecenoic acid. Other fatty acids detected include cis-9, cis-12-octadecadienoic acid, cis-9-octadecenoic, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and icosanoic acid. Squalene, a biosynthetic precursor of cholesterol, was detected with an area percentage of 8.54.
Conclusion: The evaluation of the compositional data provided evidential support for its beneficial health impact particularly in regards to nutritional and cardio-vascular health.
Keywords: Citrullus colocynthis seeds, elemental analysis, fatty acid profile, physicochemical properties, proximate analysis.