PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND MINERAL CONTENTS OF THE SEED OF ANNONA MURICATA

Nwaehujor Idorenyin Ugochi*, Ayanda Ifedapo Solomon, Lawal Israel Oluwasanmi

Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Plant is a major source of food for human and other animals. The nutritional and medicinal composition of plants and their various parts vary according to the type of plant, geographical location and other factors. The purpose of this study was to carry out phytochemical, proximate and mineral analyses of Annona muricata seed obtained from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Annona muricata seeds were removed from the fruit pulp, dried at room temperature and blended using a mill. The seed powder was extracted by cold extraction method with hexane and methanol. Phytochemical and proximate analyses were carried out using standard procedures. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine the mineral contents of the seed. Phytochemicals from the hexane and methanol extracts of the seed were; saponins, alkaloids, phenols, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids and flavonoids. Quantitative phytochemical screening showed high content of alkaloids and saponins. Proximate analysis revealed high contents of fat, fiber and protein. Mineral analysis of the seed showed that Calcium was the most abundant element in the seed (3.5 mg/g). Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc were also detected. The nutrients composition of Annona muricata seed revealed that the seed can be used in feed formulation and other industrial purposes.

Keywords:

Annona muricata, seed, phytochemical, proximate, mineral