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ABSTRACT
The study investigated the total hydrocarbon content, fatty acid profile and heavy metal level in traditionally extracted Vitellaria paradoxum. The Vitellaria paradoxum seed oil was extracted via traditional methods and the extracted oil was subjected to spectrophotometric testings to obtain the total hydrocarbon content, heavy metal levels and fatty acid contents of the oil. The Heavy metals present were Iron with concentration of 1.05 ± 0.23, Zinc with a concentration of 3.495 ± 0.375, Lead with a concentration 0.045 ± 0.005, Copper with a concentration of 0.24 ± 0.01. Cobalt with a concentration of 0.11 ± 0, Nickel with a concentration of 0.115 ± 0.005 and Chromium with a concentration of 0.09 ± 0. The fatty acids present were linoleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, amongst which stearic acid was most abundant followed by oleic acid. The total hydrocarbon content gotten was 0.0165mg/kg. In conclusion, the research shows that Vitellaria paradoxum seed oil had a high level of essential minerals like zinc and iron, with a low level of carbon impurities and abundant level of saturated fatty acid, therefore it is safe for the consumption, for cosmetic use and other industrial uses.
