Proximate composition and determination of the physicochemical characteristics of Mmilo (Vangueria infausta) oil from Botswana

Abstract

Mmilo (Vangueria infausta) is an indigenous fruit that is available in parts of Botswana and is well consumed in several countries in Southern Africa. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of Mmilo oil and conducted a comparative proximate composition analysis of Mmilo pulp from Mochudi and Gabane areas in Kweneng District, Botswana. The results suggested that there was a significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) between the moisture content, crude protein, total carbohydrate and total energy content of Mochudi and Gabane Mmilo pulp while for ash, fiber and crude fat, no significant difference was observed. A high oil yield of 53% was obtained from a mixed sample of Mmilo and the iodine value was calculated to be 90.3 gI2/100g, while the specific gravity was 0.87. The saponification, acid and peroxide values respectively were 6.73 mg KOH/g, 0.45 mg KOH/g and 0.03 meq/kg. These values indicated that Mmilo oil has the potential of being categorised as an oil of good quality.