COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE LIPID CLASSES, FATTY ACID AND PHOSPHOLIPID PROFILES OF THREE SPECIES OF CITRUS FRUITS

The oils extracted from the seeds of three species of citrus fruits were analyzed for their lipid classes, fatty acid composition, phospholipid profile and physicochemical properties. The seed oils were extracted using Soxhlet extraction method and the contents were analyzed using gas chromatographic techniques. The seed oils were rich in neutral lipids with lime seed oil having the highest percentage of 89.7 % and tangerine seed oil the lowest percentage of 84.83 %. The seed oils also showed the presence of glycolipids with values ranging from 6.95 - 8.90 %. The oils have high amount of total saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid with values ranging between 35.8 - 40.3 % and 41.7 - 48.8 % respectively. The total phospholipid content was between 462 - 565 mg/100 g with very high concentration of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine detected in the oil samples. The oils had very high percentage oil yield and saponification value. The iodine value of the oilseeds ranged between 102.3 - 135.5 I-2 g/100 g with lime oil having the highest value. The results showed that the oils have high amount of essential fatty acids and phospholipids which are major components needed for the development and growth of some vital organs in the body system. The chemical and physical properties of the citrus oils also showed that the oils will have good application in various industries like food, soap, cosmetics and medicine.