Chemical composition and industrial benefits of dikanut (irvingia gabonensis) kernel oil

Purpose This paper aims to review the chemical composition and industrial benefits of oil extracted from dikanut kernels. Design/methodology/approach Several literatures on chemical composition of dikanut kernels, methods of oil extraction from dikanut kernels and chemical composition of oil extracted from dikanut kernels were critically reviewed. Findings The review showed that proximate composition of dikanut kernels ranged from 2.10 to 11.90 per cent, 7.70 to 9.24 per cent, 51.32 to 70.80 per cent, 0.86 to 10.23 per cent, 2.26 to 6.80 per cent and 10.72 to 26.02 per cent for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate contents, respectively. The methods of oil extraction from dikanut kernels include soxhlet extraction method, novel extraction method, enzymatic extraction method and pressing method. The quality attributes of dikanut kernel oil ranged from 1.59 to 4.70 g/100g, 0.50 to 2.67 meq/Kg, 4.30 to 13.40 g/100g, 187.90 to 256.50 mg KOH/g and 3.18 to 12.94 mg KOH/g for free fatty acid, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value and acid value, respectively. Also, the percentage compositions of oleic, myristic, stearic, linolenic, palmitic, lauric, saturated fatty acids, monosaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids ranging from 0.00 to 6.90, 20.50 to 61.68, 0.80 to 11.40, 0.27 to 6.40, 5.06 to 10.30, 27.63 to 40.70, 97.45 to 98.73, 1.82 to 2.12 and 0.27 to 0.49 respectively. The results showed that dikanut kernels has appreciable amount of protein, carbohydrate and high level of fat content while oil extracted from dikanut kernels have high saponification value, high myristic acid and high lauric acid. Research limitations/implications There are scanty information/published works on industrial products made from oil extracted from dikanut kernels. Practical implications The review helps in identifying different methods of extraction of oil from dikanut kernels apart from popular soxhlet extraction method (uses of organic solvent). Also, it helps to identify the domestic and industrial benefits of oil extracted from dikanut kernels. Originality/value The review showed that oil extracted from dikanut kernels could be useful as food additive, flavour ingredient, coating fresh citrus fruits and in the manufacture of margarine, oil creams, cooking oil, defoaming agent, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.