**2.2 Preparation of** *Hibiscus mutabilis* **seed samples**

Fresh harvested seeds of *Hibiscus mutabilis* (**Figure 1**) were obtained from The Village Botanica, Inc. (Waller, TX, USA). The seeds were immediately frozen with liquid nitrogen until analysis. The frozen seeds were thawed, dried by air blower and then milled using a blender. The ground samples that passed through a 35-mesh sieve were used for oil extraction.
