Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Akshay S Chandran

Abstract:
The genus Madhuca, a versatile plant belonging to the Sapotaceae family, includes species such as Madhuca longifolia, Madhuca longifolia, and Madhuca butyracea. Among these, Madhuca longifolia, commonly known as Mahua, is a large deciduous tree found both in the wild and cultivated throughout India. The flowers and seeds of this tree have significant economic value, particularly for rural forest dwellers, and serve as a source of livelihood. Mahua seeds are an abundant oilseed crop in southern India, with annual production of around 0.5 million tonnes and yields ranging from 20 to 200 kg per tree. The seeds have a high vegetable fat content compared to other tropical fruits. Mahua seed oil extraction is commonly carried out using commercial screw press expellers due to the high oil content of the seeds. The residual seed cake, after oil extraction, contains approximately 30% protein and can be detoxified to serve as a good source of protein for food and feed products. Both alkaline extraction and ultrasound extraction are valuable techniques with unique benefits for protein extraction, offering opportunities for the modification and enhancement of proteins for various applications. Alkaline extraction involves the use of alkaline conditions to extract proteins from plant and animal sources while modifying their structure and function. Ultrasound extraction, on the other hand, is a safe, non-intrusive, and environmentally friendly method. It utilizes mechanical waves with a frequency higher than the audible range for humans.