Preliminary chemical characterization of amashindwi (Anisophyllea boehmii Engl.) kernels and kernel oil

Our planet is facing a galloping demography and the satisfaction of the needs is continually increasing. scientists call for the continuation of botanical exploration with a particular focus on the potential of socio-economic development of the biodiversity. this study is the first to focus on chemical composition of amashindwi (anisophyllea boehmii) kernels and particularly on analysis of fatty acid composition of its kernel's oil. the purpose of this study is to optimize the uses of this species as a non-timber forest product,contributing in improvement of the socio-economic livelihoods of communities. kernels were harvested from buyogoma ecoregion in burundi. biochemical composition of amashindwi kernels is as follows: ash,2.52 %; oil,24.04%; protein content,12.02 %; total carbohydrate,48.48% and moisture,12.92%. mineral composition (mg/kg of kernels): potassium,3872.33; phosphorus,2670.03; magnesium,860.13; calcium,438.02 and iron,23.08. fatty acid analysis shows a high level of palmitic acid (41.74%) followed by oleic acid (19.16%),palmitoleic acid (18.40%),linoleic acid (12.75%) and vaccinic acid (5.68%); thus this kernel oil could be classified among palmitic fats. kernel oil had a high content of tocopherol (2280.24 mg/kg) with predominance of a-tocopherol (93.46%). those results show that kernels of amashindwi constitute an interesting lipid resource that could be exploitable as edible oil for food uses and this study revealed the oppportunity of amashindwi kernels valorization as non-timber forest products and interest of preservation and domestication of this species.