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Baobab oil is sourced from the seed of the Baobab tree scientifically known as Adansonia Digitata, and classified in the Dicotyledons class. This oil is known to be grown from dry climates and extracted for its fatty acid properties. Due to its high proportions of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids it has become greatly known for its medicinal properties. Although traditionally use in the local communities, Baobab oil has since grown greatly in demand for natural cosmetics within the retail sector within the greater globe for retail sales in the US and other westernised countries. Consequently, impacting greatly on the local and rural communities with providing employment in harvesting these localised products.

Origins
Baobab oil is sourced from the Baobab tree (''Adansonia) which has notably commented on its unknown original source, however is characterised to be found in 'arid tropical ecosystems' across Africa, Asia and in some areas of Australia.

Extraction
The oil from the Baobab seed is extracted through the cold pressing process, often conducted with an automated cold-pressing machine but can be done manually if needed. The method of this process entails a cut into the solid by needle, the solid is then undergone compression which creates oil to seep out of the solid. This oil is then gathered by a decanter and combined with water, where the water is then again separated by configuration and the oil is dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored at 4°c until it is needed.

Properties
Across Africa is has become a common practice for the extraction of plant and seed materials for research purposes in order to evaluate their molecular properties. Prior to the seed's oil being extracted the method includes using already dry seeds which are then cleaned from dirt and left out in the sun for an extra period of time. From then the seeds are grounded often via a mill and passed through a mesh sieve which are then refrigerated, this is the solid then used during the process of extraction.

The extraction method used regularly is Soxhlet method which separates the soluble molecules from an organic solid into a solvent creating a liquid. This involves the Soxhlet extractor apparatus which has the solid placed on the thimble in the main chamber which through the the heating of a solvent in the still pot is transferred into the solvent creating a liquid.

Vitamins and Minerals
Experiments conducted support the presence of prominent vitamins and minerals apart of the daily intake for the human body. Evidence suggests that the Baobab can contribute to some extent of human intake of iron and zinc. * ɰm/100g

Fatty acid profile
The large proportion of the Baobab oil (33%) in the seed when extraction counts for the significant uses in its fatty acid profile. The Baobab contains a variety of Saturated, Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated and a singular Cyclopropane fatty acids. the Baobab oil composition characteristically details for high contents of Oleic and Linoleic acid.

Saturated fatty acids
Palmitic acid

Stearic acid

Arachidonic acid

Monounsaturated fatty acids
Palmitoleic acid

Heptadecenoic acid

Vaccenic acid

Oleic acid

Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Malvalic acid

Sterculic acid

Cyclopropane fatty acids
Dihydrosterculic acid

Health benefits and Uses
Seed oil's such as the Baobab's has increasingly become apparent in the natural cosmetic industry due to the supported research of their high fatty acid profile and henceforth the suggested health benefits to the skin when applied.

Historically, Native African seeds and their respective oils have been used locally as a source of food, energy, medicine and cosmetics. However, since then these oils have been integrated for other various uses such as in the production of lubricant, soaps, and other medical treatments. Furthermore, the use of Baobab oil is common for treating diagnosis' from common coughs to more complex conditions such as haemoptysis. Treatments may be prescribed with the single use of the seed oil or in combination of other sources of nature. Baobab oil is known to be used for physical methods and remedies for cuts and abrasion to the skin but not just limited to this as it is also used for therapeutic care for massage oil and nail and hair restoration.

Although there are various fatty acids found in Baobab oil that are considered beneficial to the skin, Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid is mostly sort after. Linoleic acid supports claims for having moisturising and alleviation properties off stress from skin caused by sunburns and some cases of dermatosis and acne. For this reason, Linoleic acid can commonly be found, used and practiced in acne treatments. In addition to this, Oleic acid, a monounsaturated acid in abundance in Baobab oil has studies that supports its properties to enhance penetration of drugs (Tenoxicam) with anti-inflammatory properties, commonly found in skin care products.

In Retail
As a vast growing multi-billion dollar industry, natural cosmetics is becoming greatly prominent into the retail setting. Various facilities, including in retail outlets, pharmacies and clinics have increasingly acknowledged the demand and benefits in the sale of such natural cosmetics. The demand as detailed by YC Mitei, established the fact that between 2004-05 the global production of seed oils was reported as 113 million metric tonnes.

This modern growth for natural oil's, such as the Baobab oil in the retail industry has since greatly impacted the economy of the local community in which the solid is sourced. Within these communities, the collection and harvesting of products create a source of income for previously unemployed families hence creating a way of livelihood for most rural families. This commercial demand for localised products has beneficially impacted the living standards and forth encourages the individual growth of struggling third world communities. however, it is evident that many receive small portions as income from commercial brand's product price.