Characterization of avocado pear (Persea americana) and African pear (Dacryodes edulis) extracts

The oil from edible avocado pear (Persea americana) and African pear (Dacryodes edulis) were extracted with chloroform. The oil were characterized for melting point, refractive index, relative viscosity, free fatty acids, saponification value, iodine value, acid value and percentage unsaponifable matter. The percent oil content in the fruit pulp was determined. The oil content of avocado pear was 9.1% while that of African pear was 23.2%.The physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of these oils, suggest some industrial potentials.