Traditional Pathway of Oil Extraction from Quassia undulate Seeds and Its Chemical Characteristic

Abstract

In Africa, traditional vegetable oil extraction often involves the use of plants in the manufacturing process. Quassia undulate oil is thus traditionally prepared. An expedition went to Kédougo (a region in southeastern Senegal involving women of the Bassaris community) in June 2018 to study the Q. undulate oil traditional extraction mode. Thus, the objective of this study is to follow the traditional extraction of Q. undulate oil and to perform the physico-chemical analysis of the obtained oil. Oil samples taken after the survey allowed the oil physico-chemical characterization. The traditional oil extraction made by four women from Eganga, Ethiolo, and Ebarack’s villages reveals oil clear that is solid at room temperature. The study of the established chart revealed the use of Pilliostigma thonnintigi leaves during the oil preparation. The oil shows characteristics comparable to shea butter, and the oil stability can be compared to the corn and peanut oil one. The physicochemical analysis showed oil solid at room temperature with an acid value between 1.223 ± 0.013 and 7.333 ± 0.465. The saponification value was between 190.489 ± 3.083 and 199.732 ± 3.107, and the peroxide value between 4.453 ± 0.042 and 8.644 ± 0.285. The iodine values were between 21.455 ± 2.440 and 38.068 ± 0.082, and the refractive index 1.462 - 1.463. Q. undulate oil offers several technological perspectives. However, it would be interesting to study the impact of P. thonnintigi leaves during extraction. The fatty acid profile should also be determined.