Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition of Utu (Icacina Senegalensis) and Sycamore (Ficus Sycomorus). Seeds

Abstract

The nutritional and phytochemical composition of Utu (Icacina senegalensis) and sycamore (Ficus sycomorus) were studied using standard analytical techniques. The results revealed that the moisture content of sycamore (9.65 ± 0.10%) is lower than 12.89 ± 0.26% of Utu seeds respectively. therefore, sycamore will have more storage advantage than the Utu seeds. The crude fat value of both seeds are 28.62% and 31.34% for Utu and sycamore respectively. This means that both seeds can serve as energy supplier in food. The mineral composition of both seeds were analyzed. The results obtained revealed that copper, sodium and zinc have the least value of minerals in the seeds. Phosphorus, magnesium and calcium content of sycamore seeds are 380.24 ± 0.031, 300.67 ± 0.021, 390.77 ± 0.012mg/100g respectively, they are higher than the results of the utu which are 119.14 ± 0.040, 138.15 ± 0.040, 309.71 ± 0.023% mg/100g. Phytochemical screening of the two samples show small amount of antinutrient like saponin, phytate and flavonoid etc. The tannin content of Utu is 5.84 ± 0.012% which is higher than 4.03 ± 0.015% of Sycamore. The alkaloid content is higher in sycamore (5.65 ± 0.021%) than that of utu (3.92 ± 0.025%). These values are below the toxic levels, which means that they will not be harmful when consumed.