Abstract: Crude oil was squeezed from Swida wilsoniana fruits grown in Yudu county, Jiangxi province and refined. The fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties of refined oil were analyzed. The most predominant fatty acids in Swida wilsoniana fruit oil were linoleic acid (34.69%), oleic acid (34.47%) and plamtic acid (22.37%). Crude oil had a very dark color (77Y＋12R＋8.7B), high acid value (15.3 mg KOH/g) and high peroxide value (76.9 meq/kg), but it was greatly improved after refining. Several nutrients (carbohydrates, water, β-carotene, tocopherols, nicotinic acid and thiamine) and minerals (potassium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus) were detected in crude oil. The refining process could result in significant reduction in the contents of carbohydrates, water, β-carotene, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus although the content of vitamin E did not exhibit an obvious change. Moreover, nicotinic acid, thiamine and potassium were undetectable in refined oil.

Key words: Swida wilsoniana fruit oil, fatty acid, oil refining, nutrients, minerals