Abstract.
The oil content and quality characteristics of Luffa aegyptiaca seed oil are described. The
straight vegetable oil (SVO) was extracted from the seed using hexane. On a dry matter basis,
the oil content was 19-25% of ground seeds. The quality characteristics of the seed oil were:
saponification value (SV), 168mg KOH/g of oil , iodine value (IV), 130g iodine/100g of oil,
peroxide value (PV), 280 meq peroxide/kg of oil, free fatty acid (FFA) 10.36% of oil and acid
value (AV) 20.62%. The density of the oil was 0.91g/cm3 and the specific gravity was 0.92g/ml
oil and kinematic viscosity 13.98mm2/s at 300C. The saponin content and the unsaponifiable
matter of the oil were also determined. The oil quality parameters suggest that the oil may find
use as feedstock for biodiesel production. Owing to its iodine value, the oil may also be used in
surface coating applications.