Determination of the Elemental Composition of the Pulp, Seed and Fruit Coat of Black Velvet Tamarind (&lt;em&gt;Dialium guineense&lt;/em&gt;) using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

D.O Ofosu,O Gyampo,N.S Opata,G.T Odamtten

doi:10.19026/rjaset.6.3557

Determination of the Elemental Composition of the Pulp, Seed and Fruit Coat of Black Velvet Tamarind (<em>Dialium guineense</em>) using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

D.O Ofosu, O Gyampo + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.6.3557

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Abstract

This study sought to provide data on the mineral composition of the fruit pulp, outer coat and seed of Dialiu guineense in an attempt to widen the sources of minerals for the rural population of sub-Saharan Africa. The elemental composition of the pulp, seed and fruit coat of black velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) was determined using Neutron Activation Analysis. The fruit pulp contained manganese (23.40±1.57µg/g), chlorine (205.40±37.59 µg/g), calcium (5671.00±2132.30 µg/g), sodium (332.95±8.76 µg/g) and potassium (6190.00±711.85 µg/g). The seed and fruit coat contained all these minerals except potassium and sodium respectively. The fruit pulp can serve as a good source of macrominerals for humans while the fruit coat and seed could be ground and incorporated in various meal formulations of livestock as mineral supplements.

Highlights

It has been reported that millions of people in SubSaharan Africa are affected by mineral deficiency (UNICEF, 2009; UNICEF and TMI, 2004)
Wild edible fruits are being investigated for their potential use as food supplements, especially in treating vitamin and mineral deficiency, in the Sahelian region to increase the quality of daily food for the rural population (Glew et al, 2005; Okafor, 1981; Getahun, 1974)
The elements in the samples were detected using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and concentrations were calculated on dry weight basis in triplicate

Summary

INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that millions of people in SubSaharan Africa are affected by mineral deficiency (UNICEF, 2009; UNICEF and TMI, 2004). Minerals known to be essential to a healthy body include calcium, phosphorous, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron and sodium. The role of these minerals in body metabolism is of prime importance. Examples of well known wild edible fruit species in Africa include baobab (Adansonia digitata), jackalberry (Diospyros mespiliformis), sycamore fig (Ficus sycomorus), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa; = Butyrespermum parkii) and black velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) (LamienMeda et al, 2008). This study sought to provide data on the mineral composition of the fruit pulp, outer coat and seed of D. guineense in an attempt to widen the sources of minerals for the rural population of sub-Saharan Africa

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION