IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry (IOSR-JAC) e-ISSN: 2278-5736. Volume 5, Issue 3 (Sep. – Oct. 2013), PP 06-08 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 6 | Page Extraction and Characterization of Vegetable Oil from Mango seed, Mangifera indica Olagunju Esther Olajumoke (Science Laboratory Technology/ Osun State Polytechnic, Iree) Abstract: A study of the proximate composition of the seed of Mango, Mangifera indica was conducted. The proximate composition of the seed is Ash 2.82%, Moisture 19.80%, Ether extract 25.57%, Crude protein 6.58%, Crude Fibre 4.69% and Carbohydrate 40.50%. The result of the proximate composition led to the extraction and characterization of the physiochemical properties of vegetable oil obtainable from the seed. Solvent extraction yielded oil with physiochemical results: Melting point (20 o C), Refractive index ( 1.449), Peroxide value (1.20), Acid value (16.68mg), Iodine value(5.58), Saponification value (71.52). The results reveals that the oil extracted can be useful economically. Keywords: Mango, proximate, oil, extraction, physiochemical, I. Introduction Plants is one of natures’ gift to man but its full potential may not be utilized until the chemist makes his contribution on the constituents of the plant thereby exposing to humanity the use into which such plants can be put. Recently, there has been a significant change in interest towards African traditional sources of food and there is currently a reversal of an earlier decline in the use of traditional crops [1]. Mango, Mangifera indica belong to the family Anacardiaceae. The ripe fruit is fleshy and it covers a single seed with the seed containing the plant embryo [2].Mango is one of the choicest fruit crops of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, especially in Asia. Its popularity and importance can easily be realized by the fact that it is often referred to as ‘King of fruits’ in the tropical world [3]. Mango fruit is mainly used for consumption in South Western Nigeria and an extract of Mango tree bark (possibly Vimang isolated by Cuban Scientist [4] is used as medicinal herb. The feasibility of processing mango fruits into juice, jam or dried products has been demonstrated [5]. This can ensure consumption of the fruits all-year round and good recovery of some important bio-constituents like vitamin A whose lack constitute a public health problem in Cameroon [6]. The physiochemical characteristics of fruits and the technological qualities of the products processed there vary with the variety of mango as some are more suitable than others for specific applications [7, 8]. Mango fruit contains essential vitamins and dietary minerals. The antioxidant vitamins A, C and E comprise 25, 76 and 9% of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) in a 165 g serving. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, 11% DRI), vitamin K (9% DRI), other B vitamins and essential nutrients such as potassium, copper and 17 amino acids are at good levels. Mango peel and pulp contain other phytonutrients, such as the pigment antioxidants - carotenoids and polyphenols - and omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fattyacids. The edible mango peel has considerable value as a source of dietary fiber and antioxidant pigments[9]. Contained within the peel and pulp are rich contents of polysaccharides as fiber sources, especially starch and pectins [10]. Information in most literature is on the leave, peel and fruit. It is however necessary to conduct investigations on the seed that is seen as a waste material in South Western Nigeria to determine if waste can be turned into wealth. II. Material and Methods Sample Collection and Preparation: Fruits of Mangifera indica, were collected from Science Department of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. The fruits were sun-dried after which the seeds inside were removed mechanically. The seeds were then sun-dried for another two weeks after which they are de-coated. The samples were grounded into powder using a manual grinder, packed in an air tight container and stored in a dessicator, ready for further analysis. Methods Proximate Analysis: The recommended methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists ,[11] were used for the proximate composition analysis. Physiochemical Analysis: The oil was extracted by Soxhlet extraction method with petroleum ether [12] while the Physiochemical properties of the oils for specific gravity, refractive index, melting point, iodine value, acid value, Saponification value and peroxide value were determined by AOAC 1990 method [11].