Selected physical and chemical properties of mechanically extracted neem seed oil sourced as a preservative for ligno-cellulose in south-western Nigeria

Most of the seeds produced by neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) trees in Nigeria are currently underutilized. Hence, relevant literature provides only limited information concerning many of the seed oils from this country, especially where it concerns the potential applications of these oils as preservatives for ligno-cellulose against bio-deterioration. Using standard procedures therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate and document selected physical and chemical properties of neem seed oil (NSO), mechanically extracted using a cold press at 31.03 N·mm^-2 pressure and a room temperature of 25 ±2℃. The results show that oil yield was 38.42% with a specific gravity of 0.91 ±0.01. The amount of acid was 18.24 ±1.31 mg KOH·g^-1 and that of iodine 93.12 ±2.01 g·100 g^-1, while saponification and peroxide values were 172.88 ±2.06 and 1.42 ±0.04 mg·g^-1 respectively. The implication of the values obtained, particularly those for the chemical properties, as they concern the potential application of NSO as a preservative for ligno-cellulose, is likely that it may be useful in this regard since the values may support some of the documented anti-microbial properties of the oil, although other physical and chemical properties that may affect this potential are recommended for investigations. Conclusions and other recommendations follow in line with the results of the study.