ABSTACT
The effect of storage time on the physiochemical and mineral properties of melon seed oils (mechanically extracted melon seeds oil and solvent extracted melon seeds oil) were studied. The oils were stored for zero, first, second, third, fourth and fifth months at room temperature in lacquered cans. The oils were characterized for peroxide value, iodine value, acid value, free fatty acids, Saponification value, PH value, refractive index, specific gravity and viscosity. These parameters were compared with those of the virgin oils of the sample at zero month and that of standard organization of Nigeria and Nigeria industrial standards. Mineral analysis where carried out on the oils. Results showed that the peroxide values were within the maximum standard value, iodine value decreased steadily as storage time increased for both oils, high acid values were observed at second, third, fourth, and fifth months of storage showing a high level of degradation as storage time increases. Free fatty acids value for the oils at zero month to the third months were within standard maximum indicating high level of oxidative rancidity in the oils. There was a definite trend in the saponification value, refractive index, specific gravity and viscosity as these parameters increased as storage time increased, there was no definite trend in PH and mineral values. Therefore, mechanically extracted and solvent extracted melon seeds oil should not be stored for a long period of time to avoid degradation and deterioration in the nutritional values of these oils.
