Comparative analysis of oil extraction rates and nutritional profiles of indigenous and introduced hybrid oil palm varieties in selected districts in Uganda
| dc.contributor.author | Caku, Jimmy | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-01-28T07:47:18Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-01-28T07:47:18Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-10-06 | |
| dc.description | Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements leading to the award of master of science in biodiversity conservation of Muni University | |
| dc.description.abstract | Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. L.) is the world’s leading source of plant-based oil, but Uganda depends on imported hybrid varieties because it lacks a domestic breeding program. Important indicators of possible breeding lines for initiating an oil palm breeding program are the oil extraction rate, mass of fat recovery, and nutritional characteristics. A total of 75 ripe oil palm fruit bunches were collected from Bundibugyo, Kanungu, and Kalangala districts. Ripe bunches were procured directly from farmers using the snowball sampling technique to identify oil palm growers in Bundibugyo and Kanungu districts. In Kalangala district, sampling was conducted in three designated blocks with guidance from extension officers of the Kalangala Oil Palm Growers Trust. Following mesocarp drying, oil extraction was performed using a screw press, and both the oil extraction rate and the mass of fat recovered were subsequently measured. The nutritional composition of the oil samples was assessed through multiple analyses. Carbohydrate content was quantified using the Anthrone method, while fatty acid profiles were determined via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with UV detection. Beta-carotene concentration was measured using a spectrophotometer, and β-carotene content was quantified by recording absorbance at 449 nm. Independent Samples t-test to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in mean values of the oil extraction rate, mass of fat recovery and other nutritional properties between the indigenous genotypes and introduced hybrid varieties. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate differences in oil extraction, mass of fat recovery, and nutritional profiles of indigenous genotypes and introduced hybrids across different age categories and the three districts. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between indigenous genotypes and introduced hybrid varieties; however, indigenous genotypes recorded marginally higher mean values for both oil extraction rate (23.3%) and fat recovery (22.6%) compared to the introduced hybrids (22.8% and 17.9%, respectively). Indigenous oil palm genotypes demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, as well as elevated levels of beta-carotene, indicating superior nutritional quality compared to the introduced hybrid varieties. Conversely, the hybrids were characterized by higher carotenoid content. These findings underscore the potential of indigenous genotypes as valuable genetic resources for developing breeding lines aimed at improving both oil quality and yield under local agro-ecological conditions. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Caku, J. (2025). Comparative analysis of oil extraction rates and nutritional profiles of indigenous and introduced hybrid oil palm varieties in selected districts in Uganda (Unpublished graduate dissertation). Muni University, Arua, Uganda | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/904 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Muni University | |
| dc.subject | Comparative analysis | |
| dc.subject | Oil extraction | |
| dc.subject | Nutritional profiles | |
| dc.subject | Hybrid oil palm varieties | |
| dc.subject | Districts | |
| dc.subject | Uganda | |
| dc.title | Comparative analysis of oil extraction rates and nutritional profiles of indigenous and introduced hybrid oil palm varieties in selected districts in Uganda |