Applications and Extraction of Watermelon Seed Oil – A Review

Oil content in the seeds is between 35 - 40 % and the unsaturated fatty acid content in oil is 78-86% predominantly linoleic acid (45-73 %). Watermelon seed oil is effective for skin care as it is light, easily absorbable and has humectants properties. Watermelon seed oil also known as Otenga oil or Kalahari oil suitable for cosmeceutical applications. High acid value in oil will produce soap during transesterification process. High acid value of Watermelon oil necessitated acid pretreatment of the oil before transesterification. Free fatty acids (FFA) are produced by the hydrolysis of oils and fats. The free fatty acid value measures extent to which glycerides in the oil have been decomposed by lipase action. Free fatty acids for Watermelon seed oil was 2.5-3 %. The unsaturated fatty acid content of 77.4% and the high content of 63.2% of PUFA. The time of extraction increased yield of oil also increase and up to maximum level. The extraction of date seed oil carried out 2-6 hrs. Ihe optimum time for extraction is 4 hrs. Crushed seed in powdered form gives large surface area for solid-liquid contact. Due to small size particles increase rate as well as yield of extraction of oil from watermelon seed. Extraction carried out at boiling temperature of solvent should be better for rate and yield of extraction. Temperature for extraction with petroleum ether, methanol and hexane up to 40-50 OC.