Abstract:
Gundelia tournefortii L. is a well known plant in mountains of Iran and is found all over
the country. It traditionally has some medicinal applications. In this research, Gundelia
tournefortii L. seed was studied as a source of edible oil. Oil was extracted with immersion
method using diethyl ether as a solvent. Acidity, saponification, ester, iodine, peroxide and
refractive indices, average molecular weight of fatty acids, unsaponifiable matter,
viscosity, color and density of extracted oil were evaluated. In addition, fatty acid
composition of oil was determined using gas chromatography analysis. The results
showed that seed oil content and saponification value of its oil were 22.8% and 166.05,
respectively. Oleic and linoleic acid contents of oil were 27.99% and 54.59%, respectively.
It was indicated that the extracted oil is an unsaturated oil and melts at ambient
temperature. Beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol were the main unsaponifiable matters of the
oil. Color analysis revealed that the predominant color was yellow (0.8 red, 14 yellow).
The results indicated that Gundelia tournefortii L. seed can be potentially applied as an
excellent oil for human consumption.
Keywords: Edible oil, Fatty acid composition, Gundelia tournefortii L., Physiochemical
properties.
