STUDIES ON THE SEED OILS OF PARKIA-BIGLOBOSA AND PARKIA-BICOLOR

The seed oils of Parkia biglobosa and Parkia bicolor (Mimosaceae) have been analysed for their possible edible utility and to provide some p hysical data on both oils. The fatty acid composition of the oils was identified. Six major fatty acids were identified in the oil of P. bic olor while five were identified in that of P. biglobosa by Gas Chromat ography (GC) and Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The t wo oils contained five similar fatty acids in almost the same ratios. Arachidic acid was the most abundant fatty acids (greater than forty p er cent) in both oils. Other fatty acids in the oils were behenic, ste aric, palmitic and linoleic acids. The sixth fatty acid in P. bicolor was an odd number of carbon atom and un unsaturated fatty acid (C20H37 COOH) named bicolargic acid. The oils were also found to be non toxic.