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Evaluation of Nutritive Potential and Anti-Oxidative Properties of African Nutmeg (<i>Monodora myristica</i>)


SN Ukachukwu
VU Odoemelam
E Nwachukwu
DO Agbara

Abstract

Monodora myristica seed was evaluated for its nutritional and preservative potentials. The seed was assessed for its proximate composition, and its anti-oxidative activities, which include its peroxide value development, chelating ability, scavenging ability and reduction power. The results showed that the seed contained 13.87% crude protein, 38.13% ether extract, 5.66% ash, 5.02% crude fibre and 35.74% nitrogen-free extract on dry matter basis. The peroxide values of different concentrations of the seed extract on soyabean oil were determined for 4 weeks. The values ranged from 8.30 to 22.87mEq/Kg for the control (0 ppm), 8.30 to 22.80mEq/Kg for 2000 ppm, 8.30 to 21.27mEq/Kg for 4000 ppm, 8.30 to 20.53 mEq/Kg for 6000 ppm and 8.30 to 19.47mEq/Kg for 8000 ppm within the 4-week period. The scavenging values ranged from 39.80 to 87.80%, chelating values ranged from 57.13 to 93.01% while the reduction values ranged from 0.885 to 2.672 units at the different concentrations (C1 = 2000 ppm, C2 = 4000 ppm, C3 = 6000 ppm, and C4 = 8000 ppm). Result of the analysis of Monodora myristica showed it possessed strong anti-oxidant effects and as such can be used as a feed preservative.


Keywords: African Nutmeg, Antioxidative activity and Nutritive potential.


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print ISSN: 0300-368X