Physico-chemistry of Cameroonian safou tree (Dacryodes edulis)

• Published in: Tropicultura ISSN 0771-3312 Vol. 16
• Main Authors: Kapseu, C. (Universite de Ngaoundere (Cameroon). Ecole nationale superieure des Sciences agro-industrielles. Dept. de Genie des Procedes et d'Ingenierie), Mapongmetsem, P.M, Silou, T, Roques, M
• Format: Publication
• Language: French
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: ACIDE GRAS; ACIDOS GRASOS; CAMEROON; CAMEROUN; CAMERUN; CHEMICOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES; CONTENIDO DE LIPIDOS; DACRYODES EDULIS; FATTY ACIDS; FRUITS; FRUTAS; LIPID CONTENT; PROPIEDADES FISICOQUIMICAS; PROPRIETE PHYSICOCHIMIQUE; TENEUR EN LIPIDES; TRIGLICERIDOS; TRIGLYCERIDE; TRIGLYCERIDES

Safou tree (Dacryodes edulis) is a part of the agrarian landscapes of tropical countries. Although it is known as a multiple purposes tree, it is still underexploited. This is due to the lack of scientific knowledge and data. The aim of this work is to determine the physico-chemical properties of safou tree fruits. These fruits, called safou, are consumed less than two days after harvest. The morphologic caracteristics vary according to the area and the types. In Cameroon, oil content varies from 47.4 to 61.1/ according to the agro-climatic areas: soudano saharian, high lands and continental area. The fatty acid composition of the oil, determined by gas chromatographic on capillary column, is rich in palmitic acid (35.4-46.0/ of total fatty acids) and in oleic acid (27.2-39.8/). Analysis of triglycerides show that 4 triglycerides only represent more than 70/ of total triglycerides: palmitodiolein (19.2-27/), dipalmito-olein (16.8-26.1/), palmito-oleo-linolein (14.7-18.5/), dipalmito-linolein (10.5-17.6 /)