Abstract

• In this research work, meze seed oil was extracted from meze seeds (Madhuca longifolia). Meze seeds were collected from Simehtun village near the vicinity of Yadanabon University, Amarapura Township, Mandalay Region. Firstly, the characteristics of meze seed kernelssuch as moisture content, ash content, protein content, crude fiber content and crude fat content were investigated. The phytochemicals and elemental composition present in meze seeds kernels were also investigated. Meze seed oil was extracted by two different methods; with expeller and by using different solvents such as 95% ethanol, Special Boiling Point (SBP 62/82) and petroleum ether, followed by either simple or vacuum distillation. Among these solvents, petroleum ether is the most suitable to get the highest oil yield. The effect of volume of solvent and extraction time on yield of extracted oil was also studied .The most suitable extraction time is 4 hours for each solvent respectively. Extracted meze seed oil was identified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The physico-chemical properties such as specific gravity, refractive index, colour, relative density, moisture, acid value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, iodine value and peroxide value of extracted meze seedoils were also determined. The fatty acids composition of meze seedoil such as 25.913% palmitic acid, 19.330% stearic acid, 43.716% oleic acid, 9.824% linoleic acid and traces of other fatty acids was revealed by Gas Chromatography Analysis