Proximate, phytochemical and mineral compositions of seeds of Allanblackia floribunda, Garcinia kola and Poga oleosa from Nigerian rainforest

Abstract

Evaluation of the proximate, phytochemical and mineral compositions of seeds of three tree species was carried out at the University of Agriculture, Umudike. Mature fruits ofAllanblackia floribunda, Garcinia kola and Poga oleosa were collected from the rainforest at Umudike and Oban National Park. The seeds were extracted from the fruits and washed with distilled water. Plant seeds were put in a labeled and numbered envelope. The envelopes were put into an oven set at 60°C for 6 h. Seeds of each plant species were milled and separately put in air-tight numbered sterile bottles. The bottles were stored in a refrigerator set at 4.0°C. Samples for proximate, phytochemical and mineral compositions were collected for the bottles. The moisture content ranged between 9.98 and 12.10% while the dry matter ranged between 87.80 and 90.44%. Of interest was the high percent oil content (>60.0%) of both A. floribunda and P. oleosa. Each seed had between 25.36 and 75.38% carbohydrate. The high concentration of carbohydrate in G. kola seeds justified the acceptability of the seeds as edible seeds by many people. However, the seeds contained some quantity of lead, cadmium and chromium. This research work recommends that little quantities of these seeds should be taken periodically to minimize the adverse effects arising from consuming large quantities of the seeds. Key words: Proximate, oil, Poga oleosa, Allanblackia floribunda, phytochemical.