Quality Control and in Vitro Evaluation of The Antioxidant Activity of Baobab (Adansonia Digitata L.) Seed Oil Marketed in Senegal: A Study Conducted in Thiès

Abstract: Introduction: Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed oil is used in cosmetics and traditional medicine, but its quality and antioxidant potential need to be documented through analytical controls. Objective: To evaluate the quality (physicochemical parameters) and in vitro antioxidant activity of baobab oils marketed in the Thiès region (Senegal). Methods: Five samples (Hb1–Hb5) collected in April 2024 (one production site and four retail outlets). Determination of acid value, iodine value, water content and pH. Antioxidant activity assessed using the DPPH and ABTS assays, with ascorbic acid as reference. Results: The oils were oily liquids, light yellow to dark yellow, with a nutty odor. The acid value was identical (0.67%) and the water content was zero (0%). pH ranged from 5 to 7. Iodine value ranged from 6.34 to 9.52 mg I2/100 g. DPPH and ABTS assays showed moderate antioxidant activity (about 20% inhibition at most depending on the sample), markedly lower than vitamin C (about 100%). Conclusion: The evaluated oils have physicochemical profiles compatible with good stability (low acidity, absence of water) and a moderate in vitro antioxidant activity that varies with origin, highlighting the importance of systematic quality control for marketed oils.