Fatty Acid Composition of Red Monkey Kola (Cola Millenii K. Schum) Fruit and Bark Obtained in Gariki, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Many studies have focused on the phytochemical, antioxidant, and mineral content of red monkey kola (Cola Millenii K. Schum), but there is little or no information on the fatty acid composition of this unique and underutilized plant, which is widely consumed in Africa. With this in mind, the fatty acid composition of the red monkey kola fruit and bark obtained in Gariki, Enugu State, was determined in order to determine the type of fatty acid present in the plant as well as its benefits for its consumers. The GCMS chromatogram data revealed the presence of five fatty acid compounds in the fruit sample, including oleic acid (8.094%), stearic acid (0.297%), petroselinic acid (1.237%), palmitic acid (2.290%), and cis-10-nonadeconic acid (0.183%). The bark sample contained cis-10-nonadecenoic acid (8.946%), palmitic acid (2.911%), petroselinic acid (1.881%), stearic acid (0.539%), and 18-nonadecenoic acid (0.366%). Oleic acid was found to be only present in the fruit sample, as the presence of this omega 9 fatty acid conferred numerous health benefits to the consumers. Other unsaturated acids such as petroselinic acid and saturated fatty acids like stearic acid are important compounds used as anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and as a supporting substitute for trans-fat in vegetable oils.