Effect of solvent and press extractions on physicochemical properties of oil extracted from Dacryodesedulis fruit were investigated. These oils were obtained through different extraction methods (press-extraction, maceration and extraction by soxhlet). Indeed, press extracted oil has a better yield compared to the others. Analysing the physicochemical parameters, oils obtained from maceration and press of kernels and pulp have an acid value less than 2 mg of KOH/kg of oil; whereas those resulting from extraction by Soxhlet have an acid value greater than 2 mg KOH/kg of oil. The peroxide value of the extracts oils by maceration and press of the kernels and pulp are in agreement with the standard of the codex alimentarius (≤15 mEq O2/kg of oil), while those obtained by soxhlet method are higher values than the norm. These oils have an iodine value which ranges from 90 to 120 g of iodine/100 g of oil, with a saponification value from 100 and 210 mg of KOH/g of oil and a rate of unsaponifiable matters between 1 and 3%.Also, refractive index measured for these different oils varies from 1.455 to 1.490 and their density is between 0.885 and 0.932 mg/mL. Moreover, fatty acid profiles of studied oils highlighted the presence of major fatty acids such as palmitic acid, oleic acid (ω-9) and linoleic acid (ω-6). Results of the study indicated that safou oils could be used in cosmetics and also in human nutrition for prevention against arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
