Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the proximate, phytochemical and mineral composition of boiled Borassus aethiopum, widely consumed in Igalaland, Kogi East, Nigeria. The young shoot samples of B. aethiopum used in the study were obtained from a farm site in Akpacha in Omala Local Government Area, Kogi East, Nigeria. The seed shoots were washed, rinsed, and boiled for 30minutes. Standard methods were used to assess the proximate, phytochemical and mineral composition of the boiled samples. Proximate analysis revealed moisture content (68.91 ± 0.62), crude fibre (5.66 ± 0.06), crude protein (14.50 ± 0.11), ash content (2.04 ± 0.23), crude fat (1.25 ± 0.01) and carbohydrate (9.16 ± 0.15). Phytochemical composition consisted of tannin (4.44 ± 0.43), phenol (3.84 ± 0.18), phytate (27.61 ± 0.59), oxalate (4.91 ± 0.06), flavonoid (1.42 ± 0.07), saponin (0.25 ± 0.01) and alkaloid (0.76 ± 0.01). Mineral composition included Fe (43.75 ± 2.19), Zn (1.32 ± 0.56), Cu (4.52 ± 0.35), Mg (450.34 ± 7.13), Mn (11.11 ± 0.01), P (2.51 ± 0.23), Na (449.42 ± 24.09) and K (18197 ± 736.81). The low Carbohydrate, high content of moisture, protein, Na and K indicated high nutritive value of the seed shoot of boiled B. aethiopum and the implications of the constituent phytochemicals and minerals were discussed.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call