GCMS and FTIR Characterisation of Date Seed Oil

Abstract

Date palm is an important agricultural product in many Arabian countries, and millions of people consume its fruit. The oil was extracted using a soxhlet apparatus with toluene as the extractant. The physicochemical parameters obtained for the oil include free fatty acid value (1.4±0.05 mg NaOH/g), acid value (2.8±0.05 mg KOH/g), Saponification value (396.91±0.045 mg KOH/g), Iodine value (38.07±0.02 gI₂/w), Peroxide value (29.5± 0.07 mEq/kg), and pH value (5.1). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also reveals the functional group present in the oil to include C=O of the Ester group at around 1114.5cm^-1, C-H of Alkanes (2922.2 & 2855.1cm^-1). The peak at 1461.1 cm^-1 is attributed to C-H bending of alkane while the peak at 1744 cm^-1 is attributed to the C=O bending of carbonyl groups. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy reveals the major fatty acid composition of the oil to include oleic acid as well as palmitic acid which are important raw materials for pharmaceuticals, beverages, and the cosmetics industry, it also contains myristic acid which is used for food additives. The percent composition of the Oleic and lauric acid found in this oil is relatively higher as compared to those of other regions, also the presence of cis-11-eicosenoic and heneicosanoic which are the essential raw material for foam and paint industries makes this oil richer as compared from those of literature.