Kenaf seed oil: A potential new source of edible oil

Kenaf seed oil is composed mostly of unsaturated fatty acid with palmitic, oleic and linoleic being the major one. It also contains various bioactive components such as phenols, saponins, tannins and alkaloids. It is reported that Soxhlet extraction gives higher yield than SFE but the latter method is preferred due to safety issue. Spray drying is used to encapsulate the KSO and the microencapsulated KSO has enhanced oxidative stability. KSO possesses various biological activities such as anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and others due to the presence of phytochemicals. Besides using as edible oil, KSO finds applications in various fields, such as cosmetics, chemicals and fuel.