Proximate and Mineral Composition of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica) Seed Grown in South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Luffa cylindrica is locally a source of food, medicinal substances and have other traditional application. This study investigated the proximate and mineral analysis of L. cylindrica. The result of the analysis showed that the seed contain principally protein (35.83%) and fat content (33.93%). The crude fiber, moisture and ash content are 4.58, 5.84 and 6.13% respectively, while 13.67% was found as the carbohydrate content which is determine by different methods. The mineral content showed that phosphorus is the most abundant mineral with 30.63 mg/100 g followed by Magnesium (28.93 mg/100 g). It also contains moderately high amount of other minerals such as Potassium (13.86 mg/100 g), Sodium (8.18 mg/100 g) while Chromium (0.25 mg/100 g) was found to be the lowest. The sample could be useful in preventing high blood pressure. Thus, the research suggests that L. cylindrica seed can serve as a potential source of vegetable protein and mineral in dietary formulation.