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Abstract
The seed oil from Butyrosporum parkii, a tropical tree, traditionally known as shea butter used as an edible oil has been isolated and the physical and chemical characteristics determined. Toxico-logical studies of the crude fat indicates the absence of gossypol and mycotoxins, while chemical analysis revealed the presence of phospho-lipids (lecithin) sterols and glycolipids. Saponification yielded saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which were separated by preferential crystallization from solutions primarily methanol and acetone saturated fatty acids predominantly confirming the solid nature of the oil at room temperature.