Extraction and GC-MS Analysis of Oil from Red Potato Peels (Solanum tuberosum)

Extraction and GC-MS analysis of oil from red potato peel was carried out. The potato used for this research work was obtained from the Amassoma market, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State. The potatoes were washed severally with water and peeled. The peels were sun-dried for three (3) days and then pulverized to powder with a grinding engine to increase the surface area. 250 g of the pulverized sample was weighed into a brown bottle, and 900 mL of n-hexane was added and allowed to macerate for 72 hours.

The solvent was evaporated at room temperature (250°C) to get the oil. 18 components were detected by the GC. The mass spectrometer identified the structure and names of the compounds. The compounds found are 2-ethyl-1,4-dimethy benzene 1.094 %, bicyclo [4.4.0] decan %, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybnezaldehyde 10.715 %, 1-hexadecanyl-4-methybenzylsulfonate 5.825 %, 2-heptadecanl 3.0045 %, N-hexadecanoic acid 27.124 %, Z-8 heptadecene 4.090 %, 2-heptadecenal 7.516 %, tricyclo [4.3.1.1(3.8) undecan-3-1ol 2.9962 % , oleic acid 20.199 %, linolenic acid 3.062 %, 2-Methylhexacosane 2.488%, Cholestero acetate 0.863 %, 5-cholestine-3-ol-2methy 1.982% and 4-(2-methylpropxyphenyl)-2-methylpropylpenoate 3.067%. From the result, it can be said that red potato oil has both pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses.