Energetic characterization of balanites aegyptiaca fruit

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca is known as ‘desert date’, its spiny tree widely distributed in dry land areas of Africa and Asia. It’s traditionally used in treatment of various ailments such as jaundice and intestinal worm infection. In this study it’s used to determine the energy characterization of outer shell, internal shell, and kernel of balanites aegyptiaca. By using proximate tests and heating value (higher heating value and lower heating value). Infrared spectroscopy (IR) was used to determine the chemical composition. It was found that the moisture content of 7.20% , 7.18% , 5.70 and volatile matter of 74.04% , 76.35% , 87.53 and ash content of 2.74% , 3.17% , 2.99% and fixed carbon of 16.02% , 13.29% , 4.31% for outer shell , internal shell and kernel respectively. With higher heating value 18.40 MJ/kg , 18.10 MJ/kg , 14.93 MJ/kg and lower heating value 18.35 MJ/kg , 18.00 MJ/kg , 14.90 MJ/kg for outer shell , internal shell and kernel respectively