Abstract:
Because of its importance as a source of food and income for dryland communities, an assessment of the physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of kernel oil was carried out. Both the fruits and oil are trade items in the west Nile sub-region of Uganda. Balanites kernel oil is a good source of essential unsaturated fatty acids. Attempts should be made to increase its utilization through improved processing and packaging. As a multipurpose tree, B. aegyptiaca offers food, medicines, cosmetics, fodder, fuelwood and pesticides valued for subsistence living in the arid and semi-arid areas where other options are few.
