Physico-Chemical Properties, Fatty Acid Composition and Tocopherol Contents of Mandarin, Orange and Lemon Seed Oils

The aim of the present study was to determine the physico-chemical and bioactive properties of mandarin, orange and lemon seed oils. Viscosity values of orange seed oils ranged from 0.053 to 0.205 Pa center dot S. Peroxide value, acidity, saponification and Iodine values of mandarin, orange and lemon seed oils changed between 7.80 and 20.94 meq O-2/kg, 2.81 and 7.12%, 192.54 and 195.39 mg KOH/g, 102.39 and 110.45; between 9.33 and 14.01 meq O-2/Kg, 2.52 and 7.32%, 195.38 and 203.79 mg KOH/g, 97.77 and 102.43 and between 9.63 to 22.25 meq O-2/kg, 3.83 to 4.83%, 194.08 to 195.31 mg KOH/g and 102.39 and 110.45, respectively. Palmitic acid contents of mandarin seed oils changed between 23.54 and 25.29%. While oleic acid contents of mandarin varieties changed between 22.48 and 23.85%, linoleic acid contents of seed oils of mandarin varieties were found between 41.86 and 42.81%. alpha-Tocopherol contents of mandarin, orange and lemon seed oils belonging to varieties were found between 320.6 and 503.1 mg/kg, 203.20 to 668.00 mg/kg, 164.980 and 343.40 mg/kg, respectively. The oils extracted from mandarin, orange and lemon seeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids and tocopherol, and are of high potential for being used for nutritional and industrial usages.