Morphological studies of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seed and physicochemical properties of its oil extracts collected in Accra metropolis of Ghana

A B ST R A C T The seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. popularly known as neem collected from five cities of Accra metropolis was studied. Trees with wide girth and different seed weight were observed. Maximum residual oil content was noticed in trees from Haatso. Weight of the seeds had no effect on the oil yield. Seed oil content in most of the cities was not significantly correlated with morphological parameters of seeds. A.indica seed oil extracted was analyzed for their physicochemical properties such as viscosity at 28 o C (0.07 kg/ms), pH (5.7), acid value (1.102 ml/g), iodine value (71.0 gI 2/100g) and free fatty acid value (48.35 ml/g). The maximum mean percentage oil obtained (52.5 %) makes the commercialization of the seeds of Azadirachta indica in Ghana a possible and profitable venture. The result also confirms the oil to be good quality and can find application in industrial purposes.