Physicochemical Analysis and Biodiesel Potential of Bottle Gourd(Lagenaria Siceraria) Seed Oils

Abstract

Lagenaria siceraria commonly known as bottle gourd or
calabash, is a versatile plant species that has been widely
cultivated for its edible fruit and various other uses. In this
study, the physicochemical properties of Lagenaria siceraria
oil were investigated to evaluate its potential and industrial
applications. The oil was extracted from the seeds of
Lagenaria siceraria using a soxhlet extraction method, and its
physicochemical parameters, including percentage yield, acid
value, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value, and
fatty acid composition, were determined. The results revealed
that Lagenaria siceraria oil had a low moisture content,
indicating its good storage stability. The acid value and
peroxide value were found to be within acceptable limits,
suggesting that the oil had low levels of free fatty acids and
oxidative rancidity. The saponification value indicated the
average molecular weight of the oil, while the iodine value
reflected its unsaturation degree. These parameters are
crucial for determining the oil's suitability for various
industrial applications. Furthermore, gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the fatty acid
composition demonstrated that Lagenaria siceraria oil
primarily consisted of unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic
acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1) being the major
components. The presence of these essential fatty acids
suggests that Lagenaria siceraria oil can be used for biodiesel
production