Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 24: 1477 - 1487. Published December 7, 2009.
The potential of Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) in African agricultural and industrial development: a case study of Nigeria
^*USMAN, L.A., *OLUWANIYI, O.O., *IBIYEMI, S.A., *MUHAMMAD, N.O. AND *AMEEN, O.M.
*Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
**Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Studies on seed cake and seed oil of Thevetia peruviana were reviewed in which the potential of the plant for agricultural and industrial development was discussed. Methodology and results: Results of the chemical analysis and the nutritional evaluation of the raw and treated (detoxified) seed cake were reviewed. The results available from work done so far on the seed cake indicates that the nutrients in the raw seed cake compared favourably well with the nutrients in the commonly used seed such as soybean, cotton seed, rape seed, melon, despite the presence of toxins. Similarly, detoxification of the seed does not affect the seed nutrient as there is a significant increase in the nutrients of the cake, with maximum yield of 53.60% crude protein. Reductions in total carbohydrate and significantly higher quantities albumin and globulin fractions were reported in acid, alkaline and ethanol treated T. peruviana seed cakes than raw cake. Some of the essential amino acid required by animals and human were present in both raw and treated cakes. Feed test results revealed that up to 15% inclusion of ethanol treated cake produced no mortality and gave satisfactory growth performance based on feed intake, weight gain and nutrient retention. Acid treated cake up to 15% inclusion into the diet resulted in high mortality and poor growth performance. The results of the seed oils studied in three geographical locations of Nigeria (North, North – Central and South) were evaluated. Conclusion and application of findings The results of the physicochemical properties of the oil showed that it can be used for the preparation of oleo chemicals such as soap, shampoos, alkyd resin, fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel). The products are expected to compare favorably to products from other lesser known oil seeds.
Key words: Thevetia peruviana, detoxification, crude protein, amino acid, oleo chemicalsFULL PAPER [PDF AVAILABLE HERE]
