Effect of Moisture Content on Properties of Jatropha Seed Oil

Abstract

Jatropha carcus seed oil was extracted employing solvent extraction technique at five moisture content levels. The properties of the extracted oil were analyzed. The parameters analyzed were yield of oil, acid value, moisture content, peroxide value, saponification value and specific gravity. Results obtained showed that there was an inverse relationship in the yield of oil and moisture content of the seed with the lowest value of 32.3% at 25.85% w.b seed moisture content to 38.5% at 5.85% w.b seed moisture content. Moisture content of the oil also increased from 16.3% to 32.5%. the acid value increased from 5.8 to 12.5. saponification value increased from 175 to 182 as the seed moisture content also increased from 5.85 % to 25.85% w.b. specific gravity of oil witnessed a slight rise from 0.9640 to 0.9660 as the seed moisture content also increased from 5.85% to 25.85% w.b