Antioxidant, nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum from rainforest ecosystem of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Tropical forests contain many tree species that have supplied edible fruits for centuries. These fruits have contributed to human diets due to their richness in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and their low anti-nutrients content. We investigated the antioxidant, nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum fruit parts. The nutritional, anti-nutritional and antioxidant compositions differed depending on the fruit part. Irrespective of fruit part, moisture content was high (72–93 %). While the edible part (fruit pulp) of C. albidum proved a better source of protein (4), fibre (17 %) and fat (2 %), the seed kernel was a better source of ash (2 %) and carbohydrate (15 %). Carbohydrate (22 %), protein (2 %), fat (1 %) and fibre (3 %) were higher in G. kola seed kernel (edible part) than in the pulp and pod. Anti-nutrient content in G. kola and C. albidum fruits was low, indicating that their consumption would not pose nutritional or health problems. The antioxidant compositions (especially phenolic content (10–21 mg·g−1) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl–2 picrylhydrazyl) (26–55 %)) of C. albidum fruit pulp and G. kola seed kernel were high, implying that they could be good sources of natural antioxidants and could be used as supplements in food manufacturing.