Ibrahim I. A. A. and Yusuf A. J.
The aim of this study was to extract oil from sweet orange seeds and determine potential applications by investigating the physicochemical parameters of the oil. The seeds of Citrus sinesis were collected, washed and prepared for uses such as decocting, drying and pulverizing. The seed oil was extracted using soxhlet apparatus with diethyl ether and petroleum spirit as solvents. The extract was centrifuged to remove particulates and the percentage yield of oil extraction with diethyl ether was (56.3%) and (56.0%) with petroleum spirit. Physicochemical analysis of the seed oil was conducted using standard procedures and the following results were obtained; relative density (0.88 12g/cm3), moisture content (4.0%), refractive index at 25oC (1.457), ash content (5.0%), organic matter (95.0%), iodine value (54.19 g/100g), saponification value (190.32mgKOH/g) and peroxide value (5.8meq/kg). The use of Citrus sinesis seed oil in chemical industries for the production of soap, perfumes, candles, lubricant, flavoring and insecticides has been justified.
