Proximate and selected Mineral Composition of Ripe Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Seeds and Skin

Abstract

The proximate and selected mineral composition of seeds and skin of ripe matured pawpaw (Carica papaya) were evaluated using standard methods. Ripe matured pawpaw fruits were washed, peeled, cut and the seeds and skin collected, air dried for 14 days at room temperature. The proximate composition determined using AOAC (2000) method revealed 11.02% and 10.22% moisture contents for both seeds and skins. Crude protein of 27.42% for seeds and 14.36% for skin were also obtained. Pawpaw seed contained 27.62% oil while the skin had 2.54% oil. Ash content of 5.22% (seeds), 11.03% (skin) were obtained respectively for the two samples. 8.02% of crude fibre was present in the seeds while 35.23% ash was present in the skin. The carbohydrate contents for both seeds and skin were 19.71% and 37.33% respectively. The selected minerals revealed 6.43mg/100g and 16.23mg/100g Calcium, 720.83mg/100g and 504.33mg/100g Potassium, 4.21mg/100g and 2.73mg/100g Iron while 6.42mg/100g and 1.94mg/100g Zinc were present in papaya seeds and skin respectively. However, it is evident that papaya seeds and skin, which are often discarded, contained essential nutrients that are useful for both humans and animal.