PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS OF FLOURS OF ACKEE SEED AND ARIL FROM BIDA AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Ackee is an evergreen tree known to bear edible fruit. The fruit is mostly consumed for a number of reasons such as medicinal and nutritional benefits. A number of researches has been carried out on ackee collected from different locations. In this work, determination of proximate and mineral constituents of flour of ackee pulp and seed of ackee collected from Bida area of Niger State was carried out. The results of the study show that 5.56 ± 0.17(Seed) and 6.69 ± 0.06% (Aril) for moisture, 5.03 ± 0.22(Seed) and 3.92 ± 0.11% (Aril) for ash, 15.41 ± 0.21(Seed) and 6.47 ± 0.01% (Aril) for crude protein, 36.08 ± 0.07(Seed) and 18.18 ± 0.04% (Aril) for crude fat, 16.78 ± 0.06(Seed) and 15.41 ± 0.21% (Aril) for crude fiber and 20.61 ± 0.60(Seed) and 49.33 ± 0.21 % (Aril) for carbohydrate. Result of mineral composition include K 0.083 ± 0.001(Seed) and 0.079 ± 0.0008 (Aril); Na 1.13 ± 0.0070(Seed) and 0.99 ± 0.0010(Aril); Ca 1.35 ± 0.0100 (Seed) and 1.26 ± 0.0100 (Aril); Mg 1.93 ± 0.0100 (Seed) and 2.015 ± 0.0200 (Aril); and P 16.78 ± 0.030 (Seed) and 0.54 ± 0.1000 (Aril). p-Values of 0.50 and 0.18 were obtained for t-Test carried out on proximate and mineral concentrations respectively. Results of this study indicate that ackee contain   essential nutrient required for adequate functioning the body.