ABSTRACT
As the global population continues to soar, so does the demand for energy to power the world’s growing number of factories and cars. Hydrocarbons, natural gas, coal, and nuclear are the primary contributors. Over the past thirty years, there has been an uptick in global oilseed production in response to the issue of fossil fuel depletion. The Gmelina arborea tree thrives in damp, rich valleys with annual precipitation between 750 and 5,000 millimeters. Due to its light requirements, this pioneer species only appears in open areas and along forest margins where it can renew naturally. The tree has important uses in medicine and construction. The oil content makes it a viable substitute for fossil fuels. The particle size of the seeds was a major contributor in the success of oil extraction from the Gmelina arborea seeds in the solvent extraction process. The optimal particle size for Ethanol oil extraction was determined to be 0.250 mm (Mesh 60), yielding a total of 13.20 g (14.67% oil yield). However, 5.07 g (5.63% oil yield) was obtained using Ethanol extraction from particles of 0.841 mm in size. On the other hand, the best oil yield from Isopropanol extraction was 11.33 grams from mesh size of 0.250 millimeters (Mesh 60), while the lowest yield was 1.29 grams from mesh size of 0.841 millimeters. There is no ash, protein, or carbohydrate content in the oil, as shown by the proximate and physio-chemical experiments. However, they contain a negligible amount of moisture. Medicinal uses for Gmelina seed oil have been discovered (in the pharmaceutical industry). Gmelina seed oil has a high viscosity and can be used in the production of lubricants and engine grease. Its great resilience also makes it useful in a wide range of industrial contexts.
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