Comparative Phytochemical screening and Physicochemical characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oils from two different locations in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The phytochemical constituents and characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera) oils obtained from coconut samples in two different locations in Kaduna State were investigated. The coconut shells were removed and the fleshy parts chopped into tiny pieces, dried at room temperature and milled into a paste using an electric blender. The oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor/apparatus. The phytochemical constituents were determined using standard methods. Physicochemical characterization was carried out to determine the saponification value, refractive index, specific gravity, peroxide value and acid value of the oil. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that alkaloid, carbohydrate, saponins, glycosides were present in the sample obtained from Romi New Extension junction (sample 4), while flavonoids, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones, resins and cardiac glycosides were absent. For the sample obtained from Mando Market, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrate, saponin, glycosides were present while tannins, anthraquinones, resins and cardiac glycosides were absent. Similarly, the results of the characterization revealed the following values for the two different samples, respectively: saponification value (263+ 1.05, 260+ 0.01), refractive index (1.47+ 0.01, 1.478+0.002), acid value (1.00+, 1.30+0.5), specific gravity (0.84+ 0.04, 0.86+0.07) and peroxide value (4.1+ 0.41, 3.7+0.57).Keywords: Cocos nucifera, phytochemical properties, physic-chemical characterizationJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol. 9 No. 3 (2012