Physicochemical characteristics of coroba (Jessenia polycarpa Karst) oil seed.

Abstract

The coroba (Jessenia polycarpa Karst) is an autochthonous plant from the Cedeño Municipality, Bolívar State, in Venezuela, whose fruit forms part of the culinary tradition of the region. The objective of this investigation was to determine the physical-chemical characteristics of the oil from the seed of the coroba, in order to establish its possible uses. The proximate analysis of the seeds separated from mature fruits was as follows: humidity (10.16 0.04 %), fat (58.21 0.04%), raw fiber (21.64 0.07%), ash (2.21 0.09%). Oil extracted from the seeds with organic solvent (n-hexane) showed the following values: iodine value ( 5.78 0.04 cg I2/g), peroxide index (1.22 0.04 meq O₂/kg), free acidity (0.255% as lauric acid), refraction index at 20 °C (1.4515), phosphorus content (115.5 4.9 ppm). The fatty acid profile of the oil showed lauric acid (41.75%) as the major component. These results suggest that coroba oilseed can be considered as a potential substitute for coconut and palmiste oils.