Extraction and Characterization of Oil from Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Seed

This work focuses on the extraction of oil from date palm seed. Using n-hexane in Soxlet extraction apparatus, standard procedures were followed to determine the oil feed stock yield. Proximate compositions and physicochemical characteristics were carried out. Also, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the functional groups and the fatty acid composition of the oil respectively. The result shows that the appearance of date palm seed oil is reddish brown in colour. Result from the FTIR analysis also shows that 17 peaks were noticed from date palm seed oil, indicating the presence of various functional groups such as OH, C-H, C=C, C=O, C The dominating types and number of functional groups are found on the single bond stretch and on the fingerprint region skeletal vibration. Similarly, the GC-MS result also reveals that there are 5 dominating fatty acid compounds present in date palm seed oil in relation to their abundant relative weight composition. In date seed oil, oleic acid which comprise of omega-9 fatty acid is found to be the only monounsaturated fatty acid with the highest weight composition of 49.4%. The inference that can be drawn from the results in this work in relation to application suggest that, date palm seed oil will be suitable for soap production and cleansing agents. Also, omega-9 fatty acid has some health benefits that can strengthen the brain as well as the heart. Furthermore, research on the life shelf and storage of this oil should be looked into, as it relates to the peroxidation of oil.