Irvingia gabonensis seeds yield a large amount of oil which can be evaluated for its fuel potential. In this study, Irvingia gabonensis seeds were analysed for their chemical composition. The analysis was carried out on the seeds using standard methods. Selected metals were determined in the seeds by dry ashing method using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Oil was extracted with n-hexane by sonication. Biodiesel (methyl esters) was produced from the oil by transesterification. The relative abundance of some fatty acid methyl esters were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The fuel properties of the oil methyl ester (biodiesel) were tested using standard methods. The results showed that the average moisture content was 3.21%, ash level was 1.73%, crude fat was 52.67%, while crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate contents were 2.63, 7.31 and 10.15% respectively. The seeds contained Na, K, Ca, Mg, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd which were in various amounts. Linoleic acid and methyl ester had the highest abundance at 48% respectively while oleic acid was of least abundance at 1.2%. The fuel properties showed that the properties of biodiesel from Irvingia gabonensis were within the acceptable quality standards for application in diesel engines.
Ugwu Kenechukwu Emmanuel and Ezema Chidimma Grace
