Characterization of lipids in Rhynchophorus pheonicis larval oil

Publication Type:Journal Article
:2007
Authors:K. E. Ekpo, Onigbinde A. O.
Journal:Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research
Volume:50
Pagination:75-79
Date Published:March-April
:0030-9885
:Rhynchophorus pheonicis
:

Rhynchophorus pheonicis larval oil was extracted, and characterized by physical and chemical methods. The lipid content of the larva was 25.30 [plus or minus] 0.20% (wet weight). The oil was golden-yellow, odourless and fluid at room temperature (26 [plus or minus] 2 [degree]C). Lipid analysis revealed that the larval oil comprised of 88.40 [plus or minus] 0.35% neutral lipid, 8.20 [plus or minus] 0.11% phospholipid and 2.60 [plus or minus] 0.10% glycolipids. The unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 61.10 % of the total fatty acids whereas, the saturated fatty acids constituted 38.90% of the fatty acids. Further analysis revealed refractive index of 1.30 [plus or minus] 0.05, specific gravity of 0.89 [plus or minus] 0.01, solidification value of 12-14 [degree]C, total lipid phosphorus of 31.00 [plus or minus] 0.25 ([mu]g/g lipid), acid value of 3.50 [plus or minus] 0.06, iodine value of 123.60 [plus or minus] 0.24, saponification value of 198.90 [plus or minus] 0.25, and unsaponifiable matter of 8.60 [plus or minus] 0.18. These values when compared with that observed in oils which have been considered to be of high quality, and of much use in the pharmaceutical industries, suggested that R. pheonicis larval oil may have pharmaceutical potential.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith