ABSTRACT

Kapok seed was analysed for its proximate composition and Kapok seek oil was analysed for minerals, Acid value and free fatty acid value, saponification value, viscosity, refractive index and specific gravity. It contains moisture content 7, Ash content 5, Crude fat 21.49, Acid Value 65.40, Free Fatty Acid value 46.11, Saponification value 84.15, Refractive index 1.467, Specific gravity 0.9264, Viscosity 3.96 x 10², Ester value 18.75 and Peroxide value 14.3. The oil also contain some minerals in little quantity manganese 0.11 ppm/g, Magnesium 0.17 ppm/g, Calcium 0.24 ppm/g, Iron 6.80 ppm/g, it does not contain lead and Zinc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication.. iii

Certification.. iv

Acknowledgementv

Table of Contents. vi

Abstractviii

CHAPTER ONE.. 1

1.0 Introduction.. 1

1.1 Description of the Kapok Seed. 1

1.2 Scientific Classification.. 2

1.3 Storage of Kapok Seed. 2

1.4 Propagation/Sowing. 2

1.5 Uses of Kapok Seed. 3

1.6 Chemical Constituents And Characteristics. 3

1.7 Scope of Study. 3

1.8 Limitations. 4

1.9 Aims and Objectives. 4

1.10 Definition of Terms. 4

CHAPTER TWO.. 8

2.0 Literature Review.. 8

2.1 Background Information/Description.. 8

2.2 Habitat/Ecology. 8

2.3 Physiological Effects. 8

2.4 Fats and Oils. 10

2.5 Nature of Fats And Oils. 11

2.6 Kinds of Oils. 12

2.7 Types of Oils. 12

2.8 Characteristics of Oils. 13

2.9 Principles of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer14

2.10 Component of AAS.. 15

2.11 Physiological Aspects of the Nutritive Elements. 15

2.12 Review of Analytical Techniques of Metal Analysis. 17

CHAPTER THREE.. 19

3.0 Materials and Methods. 19

3.1 Sample Collection and Preparation.. 19

3.2 Equipments and Apparatus. 20

3.3 Methods. 21

CHAPTER FOUR.. 29

4.0 Results and Discussion.. 29

4.1 Results. 29

4.2 Discussion.. 30

CHAPTER FIVE.. 32

5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations. 32

5.1 Conclusion.. 32

5.2 Recommendations. 32

References. 33