Location influenced nutritional composition of some accessions of <i>Annona muricata</i> (Soursop) fruit pulp

Abstract

Geographical location has the potential to alter the nutritional content of fruit crops. Fully mature fruits of Annona muricata L. were sourced from Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo states, each weighing about 300 g. In this study, mature fruits of Annona muricata L were assayed for proximate, minerals and vitamin compositions in triplicates and in completely randomized design. Results of the proximate, mineral and vitamin analyses showed significant (P<0.05) variability among the accessions. Osokwa-Nvosi and Akwu-Ukwu accessions had higher crude fat and crude fibre 8.05% and 3.96%, respectively. Accessions from Ogbe and Akwu-Ukwu 1 had higher carbohydrate, dry matter and ash contents, respectively. Obollo-Afor accession had higher crude protein and moisture contents. Ogbe accession showed higher concentrations of Ca, K and Mg (12.07mg/100g, 36.18 ppm and 12.03 mg/100g), respectively. The concentration of iron was higher in accessions from Ibere, Aguneze and Obollo-Afor (1.09ppm). Osokwa-Nvosi and Akwu-Ukwu accessions gave highest phosphorus content (14.10 mg/100g). Osokwa-Nvosi had significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of ascorbic acid, however Aguneze and Ihie gave highest Thiamine (3.63mg/100g) and Sodium (8.42ppm), respectively. Akwu-Ukwu and Obollo-Afor accessions differed significantly (P<0.05) from others in B-carotene and Vitamin E contents (875.10 IU and 5.26mg/100g), respectively. The result of the Pearson’s correlation matrix showed that carbohydrate had a strong positive and significant correlation with dry matter and moisture content (r=0.841**). Potassium had a moderate negative and positive significant correlation with vitamin B1 and vitamin C (-0.647* and 0.656*), respectively. Vitamin A correlated very strongly with vitamin E (0.999*) and vitamin B1 had a perfect correlation with vitamin C (1.000*). The study showed that accessions from Abia, Anambra and Imo had significantly higher proximate, minerals and vitamin than Enugu accession.