EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, PHYTOCHEMICALS AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SHEAR BUTTER OIL.


EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, PHYTOCHEMICALS, AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SHEAR BUTTER OIL.  

CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Background to the Study  

Worldwide, natural vegetable oil and fats are increasingly becoming important in nutrition and commerce because they are sources of dietary energy, antioxidants, biofuels, and raw materials for the manufacture of industrial products. They are used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Vegetable oils account for 80% of the world's natural oils and fat supply ( FAO, 2007).

Shea butter is a fat extracted from the but of the African Shea tree ( Vitellaria paradoxa). It is usually yellow in color when raw, with Unrefined, refined, and ultra-refined Shea butter being ivory or white in color (Alfred, 2012). Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa ( National Research Council, 2006). Occasionally the chocolate industry uses Shea butter mixed with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter, although the taste is noticeably different (Masters et al., 2004; Fold and N, 2000).

The English word "Shea" comes from s'i, the tree's name in the Bambara language of Malo (Dictionary entry, 2012). It is known by many local names e.g 'kadi' or 'Kadanya' in the Hausa language, Karite in the Wolof language of Senegal (Goreja and W.G, 2004). 'Ori' in some parts of West Africa, and many others (Shea butter, 2013). Shea butter extract is a complex fat that in addition to many nonsaponifiable components ( substances that cannot be fully converted into soap by treatment with alkali) contains the following fatty acids. Oleic acid (40-60%), stearic acid (20-50%), linoleic acid (3-11%), palmitic acid (2-9%), linolenic acid (<1%) and arachidic acid (<1%) (Davrieux et al ., 2010).

Shea butter melts at body temperature. Proponents of its use for skin care maintain that it absorbs rapidly into the skin, acts as a defatting agent, and has good water-binding properties ( Hemat and R.A.S, 2003). Shea butter is mainly used in the cosmetics industry for skin and hair related products

(Lip gloss, skin moisturizer creams and emulsions and hair conditioners for dry and brittle hair) ( citation needed). It is also used by soap makers, typically in small amounts (5-7% of the oils in the recipe), because it has plenty unsaponifiable and higher amounts result in softer soaps that have less cleaning abilities. Some artisan soap makers use around 28%, but it is rarely the case in commercially produced soap due to its high costs against oils like palm or pomace (olive). It is an excellent emollient for people who suffer dry skin conditions. No evidence shows it is a cure, but it alleviates the pain associated with tightness and itching.

In some African countries such as Benin, Shea butter is used for cooking oil, as a waterproofing wax, for hairdressing, for candle making, and as an ingredient in medicinal ointments. It is used by makers of traditional African percussion instruments to increase the durability of wood ( such as carved djembe shells), dried calash gourds, and leather turning straps ( citation needed). Shea butter can be an ingredient of organic broth ( Natural undated).

In the UK and other countries, it is incorporated into assorted tissue products such as toilet paper (Alfred,2002). It is sometimes used as a base for medicinal ointments. some of the isolated chemical constituents are reported to have anti-inflammatory properties (Akihisa et al.,2010). It has also been claimed to be used as a sunblocking lotion. Some of its components have a limited capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation ( Masters et al., 2004). In Nigeria, Shea butter is used for the management of sinusitis and relief of nasal congestion ( Tells et al., 1979). It is also massaged into joints and other body parts where pain occurs.

1.2 Statement of the problem

In West Africa, a variation even within neighboring Shea trees has been reported. These variations have often been attributed to environmental factors such as rainfall, soil fertility, maturation period, agronomic practices, and genetic substitution ( Maranz et al., 2004; Sonau et al., 2006). Therefore with the increasing global demand for Shea oil, evaluation of the physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and Mineral composition of commercially available Shea butter oil is essential.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the origin of Shea butter oil?

2. What are the different varieties of Shea butter oil?

3. Why the need to evaluate the physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and mineral compositions of the Shea butter oil?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of the study is to evaluate the physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and mineral composition of commercially available Shea butter oil.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study investigated the physicochemical properties, phytochemicals, and mineral composition of commercially available Shea butter oil. It also gives a clear insight into the factors responsible for its medicinal uses and the benefits derived from it as food.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This research focuses on the evaluation of physicochemical properties, phytochemical and mineral composition of commercially available Shea butter oil in Nigeria.

1.7 Limitations of the Study.

Only selected samples of commercially available Shea butter oil were procured.

 

.


TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.COM

Researchwap.com is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.com guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.com is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.com" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.