Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization of Dika Wax as Excipient for Drug Delivery

The plant Irvingia gabonensis contain lipids and polymer extracts that can be a good source of excipients for drug delivery. This study aims to extract and determine the proximate composition/ physical properties of dika wax. Purchased and identified samples were sorted out, air-dried and milled. The Soxhlet apparatus was loaded with 60g of the powdered seed of Irvingia gabonensis and the 500ml volumetric flask was filled with about 200ml of n Hexane which was heated with an electric heating mantle at 70 oC until the extraction process was complete. The proximate composition of the extract obtained was determined. A creamy-white, hard amorphous dika wax with pleasant fragrance was successfully extracted with a percentage yield of about 60%. The melting point of 40.6 oC agreed well with earlier reported value of 40°C. The extracted dika wax had no moisture, crude protein was 0.5%, fat/oil was 95%, mineral ash was 0.5% and no fibre. The proximate composition of dika wax suggest that it is a rich source of fat/oil, the ash value which refers to the level of impurities was minimal (0.50%) while the total dissolved solids which could be the remaining polymeric material that may still be left undissolved in the wax was also minimal (4%). The significant yield of Dika wax from Irvingia gabonensis nut of about 60% showed that dika wax (with acceptable color and odor) is a reliable source of raw material for drug delivery.