Characterization and viscosity parameters of seed oils from wild plants

The physico-chemical properties of Spondias mombin seed oil and the viscosity-temperature profiles of six seed oils from other plants which grow in the wild: Balanites aegytiaca, Lophira lanceolata, Sterculia setigera, Khaya senegalensis, Ximenia americana and Sclereocarya birrea, were investigated. The oil content of S. mombin seed was significant at 31.5% (w/w). The oil appeared stable as deduced from its low peroxide and acid values of 6.0 mEq kg(-1) and 1.68 mg KOH, respectively. The X. americana oil was denser than the other ones, with a value of 0.9625 g cm(-3) at 30 degreesC. The kinematic viscosities of the oils and their temperature dependence in the range 30-70 degreesC suggested a potential industrial application of the oils as lubricating base stock. Specifically, the kinematic viscosities of the oils were in the range 59.8-938.2 est at 30 degreesC with X. americana having the highest value. At 70 degreesC, the reduction in viscosities of the oils was marked: reduction by over 70% of their values at 30 degreesC for S. setigera, K senegalensis, X. americana and S. birrea oils. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.