International Journal of Advanced Research in Chemical Science (IJARCS)

Volume 1, Issue 4, June 2014, PP 14-22

ISSN 2349-039X (Print) & ISSN 2349-0403 (Online)
[Link]

Extraction, Characterization of African Pear (Dacryodes

Edulis) Oil and its Application in Synthesis and Evaluation of
Surface Coating Driers
Ibanga O. Isaac1
1
Department of Chemistry,
Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden,
P.M.B 1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Okon D. Ekpa2, Udofot J. Ekpe3
2, 3
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry,
University of Calabar, P.M.B 1115, Calabar,
Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract: The fatty composition of African pear oil (APO) revealed that the oil is rich in saturated fatty
acids, having palmitic acid (44.31%), stearic acid (8.07%), and oleic acid (42.45%) as the most abundant
saturated and unsaturated fatty acids respectively. It iodine value was determine as 45.050 gI2/100g which
classified it as non-drying oil. The synthesis of surface coating driers was carried out by precipitation
method using APO, palm kernel oil (PKO), sodium hydroxide, lead (II) trioxonitrate (V), cobalt (II)
chloride hexahydrate and anhydrous calcium chloride. The colour of lead, cobalt and calcium driers of
APO and PKO were found to be yellow, purple and white respectively. The specific gravity of PKO driers
were greater than those of APO driers. The prepared driers and the commercial driers were used
separately in the formulation of white gloss alkyd paints and the properties of APO driers were found to be
better than those of PKO driers and were also found to be comparable with commercial samples.
Keywords: African pear oil; Alkyd resin; Coatings; Fatty acid composition; Palm kernel oil;
Precipitation; Surface coating drier

1. INTRODUCTION
Dacryodes edulis is cultivated in large quantity in South- Eastern Nigeria and other African
countries like Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Malaysia, Liberia, and Zaire. There are two
varieties of Dacryodes edulis in Nigeria- [Link]. edulis and [Link]. parvicarpa (Isaac and Ekpa,
2009). The fruits and seeds of this plant have been found to contain reasonable amounts of oil
(Ikhuoria and Maliki, 2007; Arisa and Lazarus, 2008). African pear oil contains the following
acids: palmitic acid (9.06%), stearic acid (15.46%), oleic acid (26.63%) and linoleic acid
(30.85%) (Ikhuoria and Maliki, 2007).Umoti and Okyi (1987) gave the fatty acid composition and
the range of fatty acids in African pear oil as follows: palmitic acid 47.89% (35 – 65%), oleic acid
31.25% (16 – 35%) and linoleic acid 17.5% (14 – 27%). The physicochemical properties of
African pear oil determined by Ikhuoria and Maliki (2007) are average melting point (80 0C),
refractive index (1.456), viscosity (0.33 poise), free fatty acid (1.100%), saponification value
(143.760 mgKOH/g), iodine value (44.079 gI2/100g), acid value (15.280 mgKOH/g), ester value
(128.480) and unsaponifiable matter (53.920%). On the other hand, Umoti and Okyi (1987)
determined saponification value, iodine value and specific gravity of APO as 201.4 mgKOH/g,
59.6 gI2/100g and 0.9 respectively.
Adequate development of this oil could contribute to the nation’s demand for vegetable oils for
surface coatings and other industrial applications.
However, the composition of pigmented coating products can be grouped into pigments (primary
pigments and extender pigments); binders; solvents (organic solvents and water) and lastly

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Ibanga O. Isaac et al.

additives. Additives are materials that are included in small quantities to modify some property of
the coating (Ekpa and Isaac, 2008). Additives used in surface coatings include driers, anti –
skinning agents, wetting agents, anti – microbial agents, anti – foaming agents and thickening
agents (Ekpa, 2008). The additive of interest in this research is drier (or metallic soap). Driers
belong to a class of soap, they are added to both gloss, and water reducible alkyd paints to
accelerate drying. They also increase drying process in other coating products like varnish. They
are available as liquids, solids and pastes. It catalyzes the decomposition of peroxides and hydro
peroxides formed by the action of atmospheric oxygen on binders like alkyd resins. This promotes
the formation of radicals, and polymerization of the binder is thus initiated and accelerated.
Martinson and Sisler (1987) defined driers as materials added to paint formulations to facilitate
the oxidation of oils. Ekpa (1996) and Ekpa and Isaac (2008) defined metallic soaps as group of
compounds in which the acid hydrogen or the cation in a long chain monobasic acid has been
replaced by a metal of the alkaline earth or heavy metals series. Hein (1998) defines drier for
coatings as a metal carboxylate, which catalyzes, performs or promotes the cross-linking of resin
polymer or drying oils. These soaps are substantially water insoluble but soluble in organic
solvents. This characteristic of insolubility in water differentiates them from ordinary soaps of
sodium and potassium. In addition, their solubility in organic solvents account for their wide
applications in a variety of products.
The application of Dacryodes edulis oil in production of surface coating driers has not been
reported elsewhere. In view of the partial and anticipated shift in the source of feed-stocks in
chemical industry from non-renewable petroleum resources to renewable environmentally benign
agricultural resources, it is important that more avenues be exploited for production of
biocompatibility, biodegradable and low toxicity surface coating products. Hence, this research is
aimed at widening the knowledge of fatty acid composition of Dacryodes edulis oil, and
evaluating its potential application in synthesis of surface coating driers (lead, cobalt and calcium
driers). We also report on the production and evaluation of surface coating driers from palm
kernel oil and it properties compared with that of African pear oil. This will help to diversify the
uses of this oils thereby increasing earnings for local farmers as well as encouraging cultivation of
Dacryodes edulis plant.
2. EXPERIMENTAL
2.1. Materials
Ripe fruits of African pear (D. e. var. edulis) and PKO respectively were purchased from Akpan
Andem market, Uyo. Analytical grade lead (II) trioxonitrate (V) (BDH, Egland), cobalt (II)
chloride hexahydrate (BDH, England) and anhydrous calcium chloride (BDH, England) were
obtained from commercial sources and used in the preparation of surface coating driers. On the
other hand, technical grade titanium (IV) oxide, calcium trioxocarbonate (IV), toluene and alkyd
resin were obtained from commercial sources and used in the preparation of alkyd gloss paint. In
addition, standard octoate driers were bought from the open market to serve as control.
2.2. Extraction of Oil and Determination of Fatty Acid Composition
The African pear fruits were washed thoroughly with distilled water and split open with a sharp
stainless knife to remove the seed from the pulp. The prepared pulp sample was dried at a
temperature of 70 0C in a Gallenkamp hot air oven model OV 160 for 48 hrs. The dried sample
was grounded into uniform powder using a Corona traditional grain mill REF 121 (100 μm mesh
size). The oil was obtained by Soxhlet extraction of the milled sample using petroleum ether as
the solvent. The extracted oil was referred to as African pear oil.
The fatty acid composition of APO was determined by GC–MS analysis using the procedure
described elsewhere (Ekpa and Isaac, 2013).
2.3. Physicochemical Properties
APO was analysed for its physicochemical properties viz: acid value, iodine value, saponification
value, free fatty acid, specific gravity and color using standard methods (ASTM D 1959-85;
ASTM D 1980-85).

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Extraction, Characterization of African Pear (Dacryodes Edulis) Oil and its Application in Synthesis
and Evaluation of Surface Coating Driers

2.4. Preparation of APO and PKO Metallic Soaps of Lead, Cobalt and Calcium
The metallic soaps of APO and PKO were prepared by the precipitation method as modified by
Ekpa (2008). It involves two stages – the saponification reaction between triglyceride oils (APO
and PKO) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by double decomposition reaction in which
sodium in the soap is replaced by the heavier lead, cobalt, and calcium metals respectively. The
alkali soap process was the same for the lead, cobalt and calcium driers.
The concentration of the alkali used was determined by manipulating the saponification value of
the oils and its saponification equivalent, and carefully increasing the concentration of the
hydroxide until a good yield was obtained. Similarly, the concentrations of the metal salts were
also varied until a reasonable yield was obtained in the double decomposition step.
2.5. Preparation of APO and PKO Alkali Soap
20 g of APO was weighed into three 250 cm3 beakers labelled A, B and C. Similarly, 20 g of
PKO was weighed into three 250 cm3 beakers labelled D, E and F. These oil samples were then
heated for about 3 – 5 mins to evaporate little quantities of water present and then, were allowed
to cool. A 0.7 moldm-3 solution of NaOH (prepared by dissolving 28 g of NaOH in 100 cm3 of
distilled water) was added to the oil samples respectively with adequate stirring for few minutes.
The samples were then left overnight to solidify to form solid soaps. The solid soaps were
separated from the lye, washed with cold distilled water to remove any excess alkali.
2.6. Preparation of APO and PKO Lead Soap
The soap obtained from beaker A which weighed 44.130 g was put into 400 cm3 beaker and 25
cm3 of hot water ca 80 0C was then used to dissolve this soap to increase the surface area for
reaction. 0.5 moldm-3 solution of lead (II) trioxonitrate (V) (prepared by dissolving 45.5 g of
Pb(NO3)2 in 250 cm3 of water) was added to the dissolved soap with constant stirring. The
metallic soap, which precipitated was filtered, washed with distilled water and dried in a
desiccator in which silica gel was used as the drying agent until all the water was precluded. The
procedure described above was repeated using PKO soap (which weighed 43.130 g) obtained
from beaker D to produce PKO lead soap. The soaps were standardized to required metal content
by dissolving in white spirit.
2.7. Preparation of APO and PKO Cobalt Soap
The soap obtained from beaker B, which weighed 44.676 g was put into a 400 cm3 beaker. 20 cm3
of hot water ca 80 0C was then used to dissolve this soap to form a solution of it. 0.5 moldm-3
solution of cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate (prepared by dissolving 29.75 g of CoCl 2.6H2O in 250
cm3 of water) was added to the dissolved soap with constant stirring resulting in the formation of
a precipitate. The precipitate of cobalt soap was filtered with muslin cloth, washed with distilled
water and dried in a desiccator.
The metal soap was then standardized to required metal content by dissolving it in white spirit.
The procedure described above was repeated using the soap obtained from beaker E to produce
palm kernel oil cobalt soap. The weight of PKO alkali soap from beaker E was 45.113 g.
2.8. Preparation of APO and PKO Calcium Soap
The procedure for the preparation of APO and PKO calcium soap were similar to those described
in lead and cobalt soaps. The mass of alkali soap from beakers C and F were 40.133 g and 37.076
g respectively, while the concentration of the metal salt (calcium chloride) was 1.0 moldm-3
(prepared by dissolving 29.65 g of anhydrous calcium chloride in 250 cm3 of distilled water). The
precipitate obtained was filtered, washed with distilled water and dried in a desiccator. The soap
was standardized to required metal content by dissolving in white spirit.
2.9. Evaluation of African Pear Oil and Palm Kernel Oil Driers
To evaluate the performance properties of APO and PKO driers, the procedure described in our
previous studies (Isaac and Ekpa, 2013; Ekpa and Isaac, 2013) was used in the preparation of
alkyd gloss paint with APO and PKO cobalt, lead, and calcium driers. The cobalt drier act as
primary drier (catalytic or surface or top drier), while the lead and calcium driers act as secondary

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Ibanga O. Isaac et al.

drier (cross-linking or through or polymerization drier) and coordination drier (auxiliary or

promoter drier) respectively. The standard octoate cobalt, lead and calcium driers were also used
in the preparation of the alkyd gloss paints to serve as control. The colour, specific gravity, solid
content, adhesion, flexibility, durability, drying schedules, hardness property of the two sets of
alkyd gloss paints samples were determined using the methods described elsewhere (Ogunniyi
and Odetoye, 2008; Odetoye et al., 2010; Isaac and Ekpa, 2013).
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. Extraction and Fatty Acid Profile of African Pear Oil
African pear (D. e. var. edulis) extract was liquid at room temperature. This implies that it could
be classified as oil. The percentage oil yield of the APO was 58.23 % and fall within the range
reported by Umoti and Okyi (1987). Umoti and Okyi (1987) gave the range of oil yield of African
pear oil extracted by solvent extraction as 40 – 65% depending on the maturity of the fruits, while
the range of yield obtained by press extraction was given as 25 – 49 %. It has been established
that the oil content of African pear (D. edulis) varies from species to species (Isaac and Ekpa,
2009).
The total unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in APO were observed to be 47.62 % and 52.38 %
respectively. The most abundant unsaturated fatty acid present was oleic acid (42.45 %), while the
least abundant unsaturated acid was linoleic acid (5.17 %). On the other hand, the most and the
least abundant saturated fatty acids present were palmitic acid (44.31 %) and stearic acid (8.07 %)
respectively (Table 1).
Table 1. Fatty acid composition of African pear oila
Fatty acid No. of carbon Weight (%)

Palmitic acid 16 44.31

Stearic acid 18 8.07

Oleic acid 18 42.45

Linoleic acid 18 5.17

a
Total unsaturated fatty acids = 47.62 %; total saturated fatty acids = 52.38 %
The amounts of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids as reported in the present work are close to
those reported by Umoti and Okyi (1987) (48.75 % and 51.25 %). Nonetheless, the results of
present work differ from those of Ikhuoria and Maliki (2007), who have reported 57.48 % of
unsaturated and 24.57 % of saturated fatty acids in APO. The slight difference in the amounts of
different fatty acids as shown in Table 1 may be due to different species of African pear (D. e.
var. edulis) used in the studies, different environmental or geographical conditions and the
maturity level of the fruit.
3.2. Physicochemical Properties of APO and PKO
The colour of APO obtained in this research by solvent extraction was green, while that of PKO
was yellow. However, colour is a useful characteristic of oil and an important parameter
commonly employed in quality grading of oils and their sales appeal (Payne, 1967), but it is not
necessarily the major determinant of the potential end-use in industrial applications (Ekpa and
Isaac, 2013). For example, in the preparation surface coating driers, the colour of the triglyceride
oil posed little or no effect on the final product (metallic soap). Rather, the colour of the final
product is determined by the oxidation state of the cation present in the metallic soap.
The specific gravity of APO (0.900) and PKO (0.919) (Table 2) were found to be comparable
with those of known vegetable oils of commercial interest. Guner et al. (2006) gave the specific
gravity of the following commercial oils as follows: sunflower oil (0.916-0.923), soybean oil
(0.917 – 0.924), linseed oil (0.925-0.932). The specific gravity of rubber seed oil was observed to
be 0.919 (Aigbodion and Pillai, 2001), while Okieimen and Aigbodion (1997) determined it as

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Extraction, Characterization of African Pear (Dacryodes Edulis) Oil and its Application in Synthesis
and Evaluation of Surface Coating Driers

0.926. Umoti and Okyi (1987) determined the specific gravity of APO as 0.900 which is the same
as the value determined in this research.
Acid value (AV) and free fatty acid (FFA) of oil are used as an indicator for edibility of oil and
suitability for use in the paint industry (Akubugwo et al., 2008). The AV of APO and PKO were
observed to be 7.854 mgKOH/g and 21.123 mgKOH/g (Table 2) respectively. The high acid
value in PKO could be an indication of possible deterioration of the oil and susceptibility to
fungal degradation. Fungal attack is well known to cause modification in the chemical
composition of fats and oils due to possible enzyme hydrolysis leading to increase in acidity
(Ikhuoria and Maliki, 2007). This explains why the acid value of PKO purchased from the open
market for used in this research as a precursor for synthesis of metallic soap has such high acid
value. This high acid value may be attributed to fungal attack due to prolonged storage of the oil.
The acid value of APO obtained in this research is less than the value (15.280 mgKOH/g)
reported in the literature by Ikhuoria and Maliki (2007).
Saponification value is used in checking adulteration of the oil (Akubugwo et al., 2008).
Generally, the saponification value of APO (227.205 mgKOH/g) and PKO (242.633 mgKOH/g)
(Table 2) were relatively high. This high saponification value in the oil samples suggests that they
are normal triglycerides. In addition, it is an indication that the fatty acids of the oils are of low
molecular weight and less fatty acids in the chemical bound state. The saponification value of
APO obtained in this research is higher than the value (201.400 mgKOH/g) reported in the
literature (Umoti and Okyi, 1987), while that of PKO fall within the range of 242 – 255
mgKOH/g reported in the literature (Woollat, 1985).
One of the most dominant parameters affecting the fatty acid and oil properties is the degree of
unsaturation. The iodine value gives an indication of the degree of unsaturation of the oils.
Triglyceride oils are divided into three groups depending on their iodine values: drying, semi-
drying and non-drying oils. The iodine value of a drying oil is higher than 130. This value is
between 90 and 130 for semi-drying oils. If the iodine value is smaller than 90, oil is called non-
drying oil (Guner et al., 2006).
The level of unsaturation measured by iodine value is one of the most important properties of
triglyceride oils that determine its industrial applications. The iodine value of African pear oil
obtained in this study (45.050 gI2/100g) (Table 2) shows a low level of unsaturation in African
pear oil. Ikhuoria and Maliki (2007) determined the iodine value of African pear to be 44.079
gI2/100g, while Umoti and Okyi (1987) determined it as 59.600 gI2/100g. The iodine value
obtained in this research collaborates with the percentage unsaturated fatty acid earlier determined
as 47.62 %. On the other hand, the iodine value of PKO obtained in this study was very low
(14.213 gI2/100g) and fall within the range of 14 – 21 gI2/100g reported in the literature (Woollat,
1985). This shows that the oil consists mainly of esters of saturated fatty acids. This could be one
of the reasons, it tends to solidify or exist as fat at room temperature. The low iodine values of
APO and PKO when compared with other oils like cocoa butter, coconut oil, and palm oil, means
that the oil can be used as plasticizers and lubricants, hence, their application in this research as a
precursor for the production of surface coating driers. The slight differences observed among the
physicochemical parameters of the APO under investigation and the literature report may be due
to different species of African pear (D. e. var. edulis) as well as level of maturity of African pear
fruits used in this study or due to different environmental or geographical conditions.
3.3. Physicochemical Properties of African Pear and Palm Kernel Oils Driers
Another interesting area in this research is the use of African pear oil as a precursor for synthesis
and evaluation of surface coating driers whose properties compare in its entire ramification with
the standard octoate driers. This has not been reported elsewhere, and it is one of the contributions
of this research to knowledge in the area of surface coating research. The mass of heavy metal
soaps of PKO and APO are greater than the mass of sodium soaps of the two oils. The mass of
heavy metal soaps of both oils also increases from calcium through cobalt to lead. This
observation may be due to the difference in the masses of sodium soaps used in the preparation of
the different metallic soaps. In addition, the atomic masses of the metals increase from calcium
through cobalt to lead.

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Ibanga O. Isaac et al.

The difference in the metal percentages on standardization may be explained based on solubility
of the metal soaps, as they have to be dissolved to a point of proper fluidity, and manufacturer’s
discretion to suit reproducible computational requirements such as similar to provisions given by
standard drier manufacturers. However, this need for similarity is usually readily sacrificed when
adequate solubility of the drier solid (100 % non – volatile) in mineral spirits is required, as
reflected in the case of the lead drier (21 %) instead of between 55– 60 %(non –volatile) with the
octoates and naphthenates. This implies that the non – volatile content can be adjusted to give the
same metal percentages for all the drier types. The metal content in the 100 % precipitate obtained
is different for the metals. This immediately is attributed to the difference in the molecular masses
of the metals, which is the basis of the calculation of the metal percentage. The difference in
specific gravity of the metallic soaps may be attributed to the molecular masses of the metals and
the fatty acids present in APO and PKO. The specific gravity of PKO metallic soaps are greater
than those of APO metallic soaps (Tables 3 and 4). This shows the influence of fatty acids on the
specific gravity of the metallic soaps and it is believed that specific gravity increases with
decrease in total fatty acids present in the oil. The total fatty acids in PKO were 216.168 g (
Woollat, 1985) and that of APO was 280.142 g (Ikhuoria and Maliki, 2007). In this research, the
total fatty acid of APO is 270.538 g. The specific gravity of the metallic soaps of PKO and APO
follows the trend: lead soap greater than cobalt soap, greater than calcium soap as the molecular
masses of the metals decreases.
The difference in the colour of the metal soaps may be due to the metal oxidation state, which for
lead and cobalt, suggest the presence of unpaired electrons which may lead to electronic
transitions due to selective absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the visible region. However,
like most calcium compounds in the +2 state, a white is notice, which in the case of PKO and
APO calcium soaps, which were white in colour (Table 3) is due to energetic absorptions as a
result of a metal – anion charge transfer. The colour of APO cobalt soap, as well as PKO cobalt
soap were purple and light purple respectively (Tables 3 and 4) signifying the existence of cobalt
in the +2 state in both driers. On the other hand, the colour of lead soaps of PKO and APO were
yellow.
The metal soaps of PKO and APO showed appreciable solubility in white spirit. This was
attributed to the presence of the long hydrocarbon chains in the fatty acids of APO and PKO,
which is invariably aliphatic as in white spirit.
The non – volatile percentage is discretionary, hence, the variations noticed is as well suits
solubility requirements and reproducibility of results. The specific gravity results of PKO soaps
compare favourably with those of the standard driers. The specific gravity of APO soaps also
compares favourably with the standard driers. This suggests better complexing strength of the
cobalt and calcium metals to the fatty acid anions. Lead soap also showed good complexing
strength and good solubility thus, even when reduced to such a low non – volatile percentage (%)
it gives an appreciably good specific gravity.
Table 2. Some physicochemical properties of African Pear Oil
Properties Result
Literature
PKO APO [2] [3]

Colour Yellow Green - -

Specific gravity
(at 280C) 0.919 0.900 - 0.9
Acid value
(mgKOH/g) 21.123 7.854 15.280 -
Free fatty acid
(% oleic acid) - 3.948 1.100 -
Free fatty acid
(% lauric acid) 7.530 - - -
Saponification
value (mgKOH/g) 242.633 227.205 143.76 201.400
Iodine value
(gI2/100g) 14.213 45.050 44.079 59.600

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Extraction, Characterization of African Pear (Dacryodes Edulis) Oil and its Application in Synthesis
and Evaluation of Surface Coating Driers

Table 3. Weight of sodium soaps, heavy metal soaps and the properties of the metallic soaps of APO.
Properties Lead Cobalt Calcium
Alkali metal soap A B C
Mass of alkali soap (g) 44.130 44.676 40.133
Mass of heavy
77.184 71.452 46.942
metal soap (g)
Metal % 5.684 5.735 3.878
Non- volatile % 21.000 60.000 58.000
Specific gravity 1.085 1.0600 0.916
Colour (initial) Yellow Purple White
Colour (final) Yellow Purple White

3.4. Evaluation of Performance Characteristics of APO and PKO Driers in the Production
of Surface Coatings
The driers manufactured from APO, PKO were used in the formulation of white gloss alkyd
paints following the recipe in (Ekpa and Isaac, 2013), and the following physicochemical
properties were evaluated: colour, solid content, specific gravity, adhesion, flexibility and
durability using standard methods (Isaac and Ekpa, 2013).
It is observed from Table 5 that the colour of paint samples from PKO and APO driers compares
favourably with the colour of paint sample prepared from standard driers. With the exception of
adhesion of PKO drier- based paint sample to glass surface, all other properties of PKO and APO
driers based paint samples compare favourably with the standard drier alkyd paint sample. The
adhesion of PKO drier – based paint sample was improved on other surfaces like wood and
plastered wall. That of APO drier was excellent on these surfaces.
The paint samples formulated from palm kernel oil and African pear oil driers were also
examined in terms of the times of set – to – touch and dry – through. This is a very important
consideration in coating formulation, as coated surfaces may need to dry so that they can be put
into service immediately after the coating has been supplied. The set – to–touch time as well as
dry – through time of the paint samples depends on the amount of sunlight, volume of air and
temperature of drying. It would be assumed that the anions of the driers (palm kernel and African
pear oils) are responsible for the differences in the drying schedule of paint samples observed in
Table 6. The faster drying properties of paint samples with African pear oil driers may be
attributed to elevated level of unsaturation in African pear oil compared to palm kernel oil, which
is a lauric acid. This observation indicates that anion part of the drier also plays a vital role in the
drying properties of the driers.
Pencil hardness test (scratch and gouge) of paint samples prepared from palm kernel oil and
African pear oil driers was examined. Paint samples from APO driers give a harder film than
paint sample from PKO driers (Table 7). This difference in hardness may again be due to the
unsaturated nature of the oils, which in this case is greater in African pear oil than in palm kernel
oil. This enhances auto – oxidation and cross linking leading to the formation of a tough film in
African pear oil driers alkyd paint sample.
4. CONCLUSION
The iodine value of African pear oil shows that the oil is non-drying oil. The oil extracted from
fruits of African pear plant has been successfully converted to surface coating driers. The driers
thus obtained gave good drying performance when used in the formulation of alkyd gloss paints.
In addition, the physicochemical and performance characteristics of African pear oil driers were
better than those of palm kernel oil driers and closely comparable with the commercial driers
samples. Fatty acid composition of oils also affects the specific gravity of metallic soaps obtained
thereof

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Ibanga O. Isaac et al.

Table 4. Weight of sodium soaps, heavy metal soaps and the properties of the metallic soaps of palm kernel
oil (PKO).

Properties Lead Cobalt Calcium

Alkali metal soap D E F

Mass of alkali soap (g) 43.130 45.113 37.076

Mass of heavy metal soap (g) 73.938 65.947 39.237
Metal % 6.825 7.234 4.933
Non- volatile % 21.000 60.000 58.000
Specific gravity 1.031 1.011 0.911
Colour (initial) Yellow Purple White
Colour (final) Yellow Light purple White

Table 5. Performance properties of paint samples formulated from PKO and APO driers.
Octoate drier based
Quality tests PKO drier based paints APO drier based paints
paints
Colour Brilliant white Brilliant white Brilliant white
Specific gravity 1.17 1.15 1.14
Solid content(%) 63.70 64.43 65.01
Adhesion Good Excellent Excellent
Flexibility Excellent Excellent Excellent
Durability Good Excellent Excellent

Table 6. Outdoor and indoor drying schedule of paint samples formulated from PKO and APO driers.

Indoor drying schedule Outdoor drying schedule

Paint sample
Set-to-touch Dry-through Set-to-touch Dry-through
time (min) time (min) time (min) time (min)
Palm kernel oil drier
15 480 13 440
based alkyd paint
African pear oil drier
12 420 09 370
based alkyd paint
Standard alkyd paint
10 420 06 360
(SAP)
Table 7. Hardness tests of paint samples prepared from PKO and APO driers.
Pencil hardness
Paint sample
Scratch Gouge
Palm kernel oil drier based alkyd paint 4H 5H
African pear oil drier based alkyd paint 5H 6H
Standard alkyd paint 5H 6H

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Prof. Ekpa’s Research Group of University of Calabar, Calabar,
Nigeria for the financial supports. The authors also express their appreciation to Prof. C. M.
Ojinnaka, Department of Chemistry, Uniport, Nigeria, Prof. E. A. Uyo, Department of Genetics
and Biotechnology, Unical, Nigeria for their support and review of a draft edition of this paper,
Mr. Udofia and Mr. P. S. Umoh, Department of Biochemistry, Uniuyo, Nigeria for their technical
assistance.
REFERENCES
Aigbodion, A. I., Pillai, C. K., 2001. Synthesis and molecular weight characterization of rubber
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