Investigation into the Usage of Solvent for Extracting Neem Oil from Neem Seed for Industrial Application

Neem oil was extracted using food grade ethanol in an agitated pilot scale solvent extractor. The maximum percentage yield was 36.86% and was obtained when flat blade turbine impeller was operated at 84 rpm for 40 minutes contact time at 50oC extraction temperature and particle size of 0.425 – 0.710mm. The Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer result shows the composition of the extracted neem oil to be 40.41% oleic acid, 27.65% stearic acid, 25.36% palmitic acid, 3.90% octanal, 1.23% elaidic acid, 0.97% lactone and 0.48% methyl stearate,. This percent composition compares favourably with standard values. The composition of the neem oil suggests its application for industrial usage. The properties of the neem oil extracted were found to be: specific gravity, 0.9111; pH, 6.5; refractive index, 1.4668; iodine value, 70.21g/g; acid value, 34.33mgKOH/g and Saponification value, 180.95 mgKOH/g. These values compare favourably with standard values. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n5p3