Abstract:
This study was aimed to assess the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Balanites
aegyptiaca seed oil and characterize the physicochemical properties. Seeds were collected
from the local central market, Khartoum-Sudan (2019). The samples were dried under
shade and grinded, then the oil was extracted with a Soxhlet extractor using n-hexane. The
percentage yield of the extract was found to be 25.64%. The seed oil was tested against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (G-), Escherichia coli (G-), Bacillus subtilis (G+), Staphylococcus
aureus (G+), and Candida albicans to assess their antimicrobial properties. The extract of B.
aegyptiaca seed oil has antimicrobial activity against most of the organisms tested. The fatty
acid profile of the B. aegyptiaca seed oil was analyzed by GC/MS. The results revealed that
the presence of five fatty acids, including saturated linoleic acid, oleic acid, and unsaturated
palmate and stearic acids, also a unique antioxidant compound butylated hydroxytoluene.
The physiochemical properties of the seed oil showed that the oil contained kinetic viscosity
(57 cp), density (0.917 g/cm3), refractive index (1.472), acid value (49.96 mg/kg),
saponification value (248.75 mg/g), ester number (234.79 mg/kg) and peroxide number
(0.02 mg/kg). Through physiochemical analysis, it was found that oil can be used for human
consumption due to the percentage yield of unsaturated acids (81%). In addition, the results
of the antioxidant activity of the seeds oil showed that the seed oil had moderate antioxidant
activity
