Characteristics of Laboratory‐Processed: Cucurbita foetidissima Seed Oil

The effects of variations in laboratory processing on the quality of the seed oil of the buffalo gourd, Cucurbita foetidissima , were determined. Conditions found most effective were: triple refining at 65 C for 15 min using 16°Be and 20°Be NaOH at 80% of maximum and 20°Be NaOH at the maximum; bleaching at 105 C for 30 min by a mixture of activated bleaching earth (3%) and activated carbon (0.3%); and deodorization with 5% steam at 210 C for 120 min. Processed oil showed these analytical values: carotenoids (3.6 mg/kg), free fatty acids (0.28%), peroxide (0.2 meq/kg), conjugated unsaturated fatty acids (1.59%). Oxidative stability test (AOM) conditions gave peroxide values of 100 in 4.9 hr and 141 in 8 hr. The triglyceride fatty acid composition was 11.9% palmitic, 3.5% stearic, 22.0% oleic and 61.0% linoleic acid.