Assessment of Crude Oil Extract from Citrullus lanatus (Water Melon) for Pharmaceutical Application

Purpose To examine crude extract from Citrullus lanatus (water melon) seed oil for pharmaceutical application. In addition determine the functional groups in the seed oil using infrared spectroscopy.  Methods The seeds of C. Lanatus was collected, dried at room temperature, seed, coat removed, pulverized, and extracted exhaustively using n-hexene in soxhlet extractor. Extract was concentrated using rotory evaporator. The oil stored in amber container physicochemical parameters were evaluated using titrimetric methods and the functional groups of chemical constituents were identified using IR.  Results The physicochemical analysis showed good iodine value, perioxide value and saponification value that falls within the acceptable range as recommended by FAO and WHO. The FTIR spectrum showed the presence of hydroxyl groups, carbonyl compounds, saturated compounds which includes CH2CH3 at specific range of absorption brands.  Conclusion The oil from C. Lanatus is excellent for human consumption and contains high amount of unsaturated fatty acids which gives it a better potential for pharmaceutical use.