Inter-varietal variation in the composition of Okra (Hibiscus Esculentus L.) seed oil

The seeds from two varieties namely sabz pari and punjab-8 of okra (hibiscus esculentus),grown under similar environment,exhibited oil content 11.72 and 13.42%,respectively. protein,fiber,moisture and ash contents were found to be 20.00,29.60,7.26 and 5.18 and 23.68,27.41,8.35 and 6.23,respectively. the physicochemical characteristics of the extracted oils were as follows: iodine value,111.6-114.9; refractive index (40°c),1.4620-1.4640; density (24°c),0.904-0.908 gcm-3,saponification value,180.3-185.8 (mg of koh g-1of oil); unsaponifiable matter,0.61-0.65%; color (1-in. cell),3.40-7.00 r + 34.00-70.00 y; acid value,3.49-4.67 (mg of koh g- 1of oil); peroxide value,7.29-8.47 meq kg-1. tocopherols (α,γ and δ) contents of the oils accounted for 653.0-696.5,2.13-3.33 and 1.01-1.11 mg kg-1,respectively. the major fatty acids of the tested oils were: linoleic acid (29.90-31.70%),palmitic acid (29.50-31.20%),oleic acid (26.69- 28.19%) and stearic acid (4.90-6.10%). a small amount of cylcopropaneoctanoic acid with contribution up to 2.0% was also established. most of the studied parameters of sabz pari and punjab-8 h.esculentus seed oils were quite comparable with those of typical hibiscus seed oils reported in the literature.