Comparative Studies of Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Castor Bean (Ricinus Cummunis L.) Plant

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare the oil content and fatty acid composition of castor seed oil (Ricinus cummunis L.) collected from three different locations (Gusau, Maradun and Tsafe) in Zamfara state, Nigeria. The oil was extracted through Soxhlet extractor and its fatty acid composition was determined by Gas chromatography- Mass spectroscopy (GC – MS) analysis. Results of the investigations revealed that seeds from Tsafe had the highest quantity of oil (33.3%), followed by those from Maradun (30.4%), and lastly Gusau (28.7 %), as shown in (Table I.) However, the number fatty acids were highest in seeds obtained from Gusau (8), then Tsafe (7) and finally Maradun (5). Ricinoleic, Stearic and Palmitic acids were present in oil from all the study sites. 9, 21 octadecanoic, Beta – Sitosterol; 7- and Hexadecanoid acid; Cholesta-22- 24-dien-5,4,4.  found only in Gusau sample. The variation in seed oil content and fatty acids composition in R. cummunis may be due to spatial differences or oil extraction procedure.