A Comparative Assessment of the Fatty Acid and Phospholipid Composition of Irvingia Gabonensis (African Wild Mango) and Citrullus Lanatus (Water Melon) Seed Oils

The fatty acid composition of Irvingia gabonensis (African wild mango) and Citrullus lanatus (water melon) seed oils were determined using gas chromatographic technique with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results indicated eight fatty acids in Citrullus lanatus and eleven in Irvingia gabonensis seed oils. Comparatively, fatty acids common to both seed oils are linoleic acid (61.07%, 22.98%), oleic acid (13.48%, 21.87%), palmitic acid (15.40%, 16.69%), palmitoleic acid (0.53%, 6.32%), linolenic acid (0.52% , 17.55%) and erucic acid (0.54%,0.88%). Lauric acid, arachidic acid, myristic acid and behenic acid though found in Irvingia gabonensis were not traceable in citrullus lanatus while arachidonic acid was present in citrullus lanatus but not in irvingia gabonensis. Margaric acid and lignoceric acid were not found in both seed oils. Irvingia gabonensis seed oil presented potential for making hard soaps. The seed oils generally presented potential for industrial use. Phospholipid levels in Citrullus Lanatus and Irvingia gabonensis seed oils on the other hand was also determined using gas chromatographic technique with pulse flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD). The result showed six phospholipids in each seed oil namely phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid. The total phospholipid levels in Citrullus lanatus seed oil is higher (935.65 mg/100g) than that in Irvingia gabonensis (239.89 mg/100g) seed oils. Phosphatidylcholine was the most abundant in both seed oils while phosphatidylserine was the least concentrated. Citrullus lanatus seed oils present a higher potential for health benefits based on their phospholipid levels than Irvingia gabonensis. The study indicates that Irvingia gabonensis and citrullus lanatus would be useful in soap making industries and for improved health benefits respectively. Keywords: African wild mango, Citrullus lanatus, Chromatography, fatty acids, Irvingia gabonensis, industrial potential, Phospholipids, Phosphatidic acid, seed oil