Physico-Chemical Studies of Seed Oil of Prinsepia utilis Royle (bhekal) Grown in Chakrata Region and Its Comparison With Conventional Food Oils

Abstract-Oil and fats are important component of human dietary system. Increase in demand and different applications of oil foster the search for vegetable and seed oil of high quality. In India several regions have developed specific preference for edible oil locally available. Several pockets in Garhwal Himalayan region, people give preference to some wildly growing species. Prinsepia utilis(bhekal) is one of that kind. This paper deals with the investigation of physicochemical characteristics, fatty acids composition and mineral content seed oil of bhekal (P. utilis). Mature seeds were collected fromChakrataforestdivision,Chakrata,Uttarakhand,India and oil was extracted byconventional method. Extracted oil was yellow in colour, tasteless, odour less, soluble in benzene, pet-ether and slightly soluble in acetone. Its physico-chemical and proximate values were determined by appropriate lab method. The elements present in seed oil were also determined which reflect that oil is rich in Iron, Sodium, Potassium and appropriate range of Potassium, Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium which makeit suitable foredible consumption and commercial purposes. The composition of fatty oil was determined by Gas Chromatography (GCMS). From GCMS analysis the main constituents of oil such as Myristic acid (13.10%), Palmitic acid (10.20%), Stearic acid (21.90%) and Oleic acid (4.50%) were determined. Nutritional and physico-chemical properties of the Prinsepia utilisoil and their comparison with other food grade oil suggested that oil is suitable for use in domestic and for the industrial uses.Keywords: Prinsepia utilis, Edible oil, Proximate value, Fatty acid composition, Mineral content.