Evaluation Of The Physicochemical Properties, Phytochemical Constituents And Antimicrobial Activities Of Fixed Oil From Seeds Of Nicandra Phaysaloids

Abstract

Fixed oils of plant seeds used as raw materials in industries to produce commodities for our daily life and contain fatty acids compounds essential for human health. This study was aimed to investigate the yield, phytochemical composition, fatty acid composition, and antimicrobial activity of fixed oil from Nicandra physaloides seeds. Phytochemical screening for determination of alkaloids, glycoside, quinones, steroids, terpenoids, etc. was carried out using chemical test methods; antimicrobial activity tests were carried on the bacteria ( S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis ) and fungi ( Fusarium spp and S. cerevisia) using agar diffusion method. Fatty acid composition of the oil was determined from GC-MS data of the oil methyl ester. Proximate and physicochemical tests were carried following a standard protocol (AOAC). The oil yield was 19.66%. The proximate and physicochemical analysis data for the oil indicated: relative density (0.86 ± 0.01), refractive index at 21 ◦ C, (1.48 ± 0.00), moisture content (1.32 ± 0.07), ash contents (1.33 ± 0.04), acid value (1.63 ± 0.00 mg KOH/g), free fatty acid (0.30 ± 0.02 as oleic %), peroxide value (0.49 ± 0.02 meq O2/kg oil), iodine value (150.77 ± 0.03 g I2 /100 g oil), saponification value (181.58 ± 4.32 mg KOH/g), ester value (179.95 mg KOH/g) and unsaponifiable matter (0.83). GC-MS analysis of the oil revealed the presences of Palmitic acid (12.88%), Oleic acid (18.40 %), Linoleic acid (63.10%) and α-Linolenic acid (5.65%). The phytochemical screening of the fixed oil showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, quinones, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The oil showed an activity against bacteria on B. subtilis (10), P. aeruginosa (11), E. coli (12) and S. aureus (12), and the fungi S. Cervisiae (12) and Fusarium spp (7), with zone of inhibition (mm). Therefore, N. physaloides seed oil has a potential to use in cosmetic, soap, pharmaceutical industries and as a biofuel oil resource and for medicinal purposes. Further study is needed to study the nutritional compositions of the products of oil extracted from seeds in order to ascertain its usage as foods for animals.