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Proximate analyses and mineral compositions of the pulp and seeds of <i>Adansonia digitata</i> (Baobab fruit)


I Sadiq
L Hassan
SM Dangoggo
AI Dogonyaro
AU Itodo

Abstract

The proximate and mineral compositions of the pulp and seeds of Adansonia digitata (baobab fruit) were evaluated. The pulp contained 27.60±0.36% moisture, 1.53±0.04% crude protein, 1.45±0.05% ether extract, 5.73±0.25% ash, 91.25±0.29% carbohydrate, 341.63±10.13 kj/100g calorific value and 1.94±0.03 mg/100ml vitamin C. The seed contained 15.07±0.51% moisture, 10.01±0.45% crude protein, 17.83±2.89% ether extract, 2.67±2.89% crude fiber, 6.33±0.15% ash, 53.16±0.58% carbohydrate, 618.61±3.20 kj/100g calorific value. The pulp and seed of were rich in Na, K, Ca, Mg which were significantly different (p< 0.05) except that of phosphorus that was insignificant. Na content ranged from 78,500± 1.00 to 89,000±1.32; K (14,500±0.500 to 10,533± 503); Ca (35.2±0.82 mg/l) and magnesium (16.17±0.76 to 22.60 ±0.36 mg/l). It was concluded that the pulp of Adansonia digitata is an important source of vitamin C, while the seed is a potential source of edible oil, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium.


Keywords: Baobab, Adansonia digitata, seed, proximate composition, minerals

 


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eISSN: 1597-913X