A Comparative Study of α-Tocopherol as an Antioxidant Factor Extracted from some common Nigerian Seed Oil
Chundusu, E. S., Gimba, J. D. & Danjuma Gwamzhi
Department of Science
Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Nigeria
E-mail: chumdusu2001@yahoo.com
Corresponding Author: Chundusu, E. S.
ABSTRACT
Vitamin E is the collective name for a set of eight related tocopherols and tocotrienols which are fat soluble vitamins with antioxidants properties. This study evaluated the concentration of tocopherol in onion oil, benne seed oil and palm kernel oil. Oil from the seed samples were extracted using soxhlet apparatus with n- hexane and ethanol as solvents used. The oils were further analyzed using U.V spectrometer. All the oils analyzed contained various levels of tocopherol, with benne seed oil having the highest with concentration of 9.60μg/ml, palm kernel oil with concentration of 8.83μg/ml and onion oil with concentration of 6.41μg/ml. Since all the oils analyzed contained substantial amount of α tocopherol, they should be consumed more and conclusively, consuming the oil will help in protecting against free radicals which has been the underlying mechanism of threatening human diseases.
