摘要：The seed oil of Monodora tenuifolia Benth which has previously been characterized was analyzed for fatty acid composition and fed to albino rats to determine its suitability as edible oil. Analyses of the oil for fatty acids revealed that the oil is highly unsaturated (76.22 %) and it contains linoleic and linolenic acids which are two of the essential fatty acids. The main fatty acids of the oil, however, are linoleic acid: 39.37 %; oleic acid: 34.40 % and palmitic acid: 12.56 %. The high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (40.97 %) in the oil is nutritional significant. The effect on physical appearance, weight gain, organ weight, tissue, plasma cholesterol and triacyglycerol levels was determined in rats fed a diet containing 5 % M. tenuifolia oil. These were compared with those of rats fed with control diets 0 % M. tenuifolia and 5 % groundnut oil. Weekly monitoring of the rats showed good physical appearance and steady weight increase. No visible lesion was observed in all but one of the heart of the test rats during the histopathology examination of the heart, liver, kidney, spleen and lung of the rats and all the parameters analyzed for in the blood samples fall within normal range. The haematological analysis of the blood sample of the rats indicated that they were not anaemic and no mortality was recorded. Monodora tenuifolia seed oil could find application as edible oil/ potential industrial raw material
