Analysis and Characterization of Pericopsis mooniana Seed Oil for Potential Applications in Cosmetics and Nutritional Supplements

Abstract

Pericopsis mooniana is renowned for wood applications, while its bark and leaves find uses in ayurvedic medicine. The shifting of global cosmetic and nutritional supplement industries towards plant-based oils has led to explore novel sources. No prior studies were done on P. mooniana seed oil. Therefore this study aims to characterize the seed oil of P. mooniana by determining Fatty Acids (FA) composition as their methyl esters, nonpolar constituents in unsaponifiable matter, and other physio-chemcial properties. The oil was extracted using the soxhlet extraction method. Ash and moisture contents of seeds, Acid Value (AV), Iodine Value (IV), smoke point and thermal stability of oil were also determined. Prepared fatty acid methyl esters and chemical constituents in unsaponifiable matter were identified and quantified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method. Results indicated a substantial oil yield of 36.71± 0.01% with moisture content of 5.60 ± 0.19%, ash content of 3.65 ± 0.38%, AV of 2.97 ± 0.40 mg KOH/g, IV of 16.02 ± 0.14 g I₂/100g, smoke point of 233.6 ± 8.57°C, decomposition temperature of 409.95 ± 1.74°C and yield of unsaponifiable matter of 1.35 ± 0.01%. The dominant FAs are oleic (41.02%) and linoleic (38.12%) acids. Major unsaponifiable matter constituents are squalene (4.01 mg/g), beta.-sitosterol (2.63 mg/g), stigmasterol (1.23 mg/g), phytol (1.45 mg/g), geranylgeraniol (1.03 mg/g) and amyrin (0.95 mg/g). Based on the finding of this study, it can be concluded that P. mooniana seed oil has the potential to be utilized in both cosmetic and nutritional supplement industries.