Comparative study on the proximate content of the flesh of red and yellow fruits of <i>Terminalia catappa L</i>.

Abstract

The flesh of two fruits were analysed and compared for their proximate compositions on dry weight basis, the red fruits have the following proximate composition: ash content (7.83±0.76%): crude protein (3.92±0.08%): crude fibre (8.67±0.29%): crude lipid (1.33±0.29%): and available carbohydrate (78.31+ 1.14%) with high energy value (1447.19 KJ per 100g). The moisture content (71.33±6.90) was high. while for the yellow sample are: ash content (8.33 ±0.76%): crude protein (10.01±0.43%): crude fibre (15.83±0.29%): crude lipid (0.67±0.29%): and available carbohydrate (64.90± 0.69%) with high energy value (1295.13 KJ per 100g). The moisture content (84.00± 2.00%): the result showed moisture, crude protein and crude fibre are significantly (p<0.05) higher in yellow compared to red variety. On the other hand crude lipid, available carbohydrate and calorific value were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the red variety. Ash content however, showed no significant (p>0.05) variation between the two varieties.

Key words: proximate composition, crude lipid, available carbohydrate, crude protein.