Abstract

Oil was extracted from the seed of cashew nuts (Anacardium occidenale L) using n-hexane as solvent and a soxhlet extractor. The phytochemical analysis of the seed oil revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids while tannins were absent. The properties showed percentage oil yield of 37.2%, the oil was brownish yellow in colour with a specific gravity of 1.11g/cm3..The saponification value was 151.47±0.30mgKOH/g; acid value of 3.8±0.01mg KOH/g; iodine value of 26.0±0.10gI2/100; peroxide value of 2.5±0.50mg/100g and free acid value of 1.91±0.03.These result suggest that Anacardium occidenale L nut seed oil may be a viable source of oil going by its percentage oil yield. Also the studied properties revealed that the oil could be used especially for industrial purposes like drug and polyurethane foam production.

Key words: seedoil, phytochemical, Anacardium occidenale, soxhlet extractor, physicochemical analysis.