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U. Njoku Obioma ¹, Joshua ¹, Parker Elijah ¹, C. Ossai Emmanuel ¹, Agu ¹, Chidozie Victor ¹, O. Ugwuanyi Juliana ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, NG

Abstract

Murraya koenigii (curry) is a plant found in the tropical regions of western Africa. The phytochemical analysis and the antioxidant activities of Murraya koenigii were carried out as well as the acute toxicity of the plant. The result of the acute toxicity showed that, the plant had LD50 of 4000mg/kg body weight, indicating non toxicity of the plant when consumed. The plant was found to contain carbohydrates, proteins, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids. The lipid peroxidation scarvenging activity of the ethanol extract was assayed using rat liver homogenate. The extract of the plant showed a dose-dependent activity with sodium nitriprusside, carbon tetrachloride and ferrous sulphate induced lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant activities of the plant were significant when compared with ascorbic acid. It was evident that Murraya koenigii possess some antioxidant properties and its consumption can reduce the effects caused by oxidative stress.

Keywords

Murraya koenigii, Antioxidant, Free Radicals, Nitric Oxide.

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C. Ossai Emmanuel ¹, U. Njoku Obi ¹

Affiliations
1 Lipid and Lipoprotein Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F) seed oil was transesterified using 1% sodium hydroxide as the catalyst at 60°C and oil/methanol ratio of 1:6 (v/v) to produce its corresponding methyl esters (biodiesel). The percentage yield of the biodiesel was 90%, indicative of a good biodiesel feedstock. The biodiesel obtained from the fluted pumpkin seed oil was yellow in colour with a relative density of 0.872 and a kinematic viscosity of 2.50 mm²/s; the relative density and kinematic viscosity being, respectively, similar to and lower than that of petrodiesel and some conventional biodiesel. The iodine value was found to be 102.33mgI2/g, the acid value 0.22mgKOH/g and the peroxide value 0.20mEq/Kg. The cetane number and the flash point were 64.079 and 138°C, respectively and the heat of combustion was 35.3MJ/Kg. All these results show that fluted pumpkin seed oil has a great biodiesel potential.

Keywords

Biodiesel, Telfairia occidentalis, Transesterification, Fuel Properties, Petrodiesel, Oil Properties.

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C. Ossai Emmanuel ¹, C. Ogbonna Dominic ¹, U. Njoku Obi ¹

Affiliations
1 Lipid and Lipoprotein Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

Melon (Citrullus lanatus) seed oil was transesterified using 1% sodium hydroxide at 60°C to produce biodiesel. The percentage yield of the biodiesel was high, indicative of a good biodiesel feedstock. The biodiesel obtained showed good quality on characterization of its fuel properties. The relative density was found to be 0.88 with lower kinematic viscosity of 2.596mm²/s. The acid value was 0.36mg, iodine value 111.67mg and peroxide value 0.06meq. The flash point and the cetane number were 120°C and 55.84 respectively while the heat of combustion was 39.3 MJ/Kg. These results show that melon seed oil has good biodiesel properties and may be suitable as fuel for internal combustion engine.

Keywords

Biodiesel, Melon Seed Oil.

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