Comparison of the Nutraceutical Potential of <i>Ziziphus spina Christi</i> and <i>Parkia biglobosa</i> Fruits

Abstract

Consumption of Zizipus spina christi and Parkia biglobosa fruits in Kano state Northern Nigeria is increasing daily, due to their huge amount of some minerals, vitamins and antioxidant content. Comparative analysis of these minerals and proximate composition will showcase their health and nutritional benefits. This study aimed to compare the proximate composition of Z. spina christi and P. biglobosa fruits. The proximate analysis shows that some parameters (ash, crude fiber and moisture content) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the fruit of P. biglobosa when compared to Zizipus spina christi fruit [(5.76±0.17 % and 3.15±0.12 %), (12.35±0.46 % and 5.59±0.16 %), (3.16±0.05 % and 1.99±0.02 %) respectively], while other parameters such as crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate content were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the fruit of Z. spina christi when compared to P. biglobosa fruit [(13.23±0.60 % and 11.09±0.60 %), (75.80±0.10 % and 67.53± 0.09 %), (0.14±0.01 % and 0.13± 0.01 %) respectively]. Also, the mineral composition were also analyzed; potassium (250.72± 0.03 mg/kg), magnesium (47.04± 0.04 mg/kg), iron (12.77± 1.02 mg/kg), manganese (2.26± 0.55 mg/kg) and sulfur (1.92± 0.12 mg/kg) were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the fruit of P. biglobosa when compared to Zizipus spina christi fruit, while calcium (177.72± 0.07 mg/kg), zinc (2.53± 0.08 mg/kg) and phosphorus (10.85± 0.13 mg/kg) were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the fruit of Zizipus spina christi when compared to P. biglobosa fruit. The present study showed that the fruits of both trees contains important mineral and proximate composition; therefore, they could be utilized as raw materials in food and pharmaceutical industries.