Preliminary Study on Proximate Evaluation of Wildfruit and Seed of African Bush Pear

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue III, March 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Preliminary Study on Proximate Evaluation of Wildfruit and Seed of African Bush Pear

Mustapha, R.A^1*, Falusi, V², Babatunde-Ikare, O.V^3
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, PMB 1019, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, PMB 1019, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
³Department of Hospitality Management Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, PMB 1019, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
*Corresponding author

Abstract: – Fleshy fruit and seeds of African bush pear were subjected to proximate and mineral analysis using the standard methods of AOAC .Themineral was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Photospectrometer (AAS). Result shows that the seedswas significantly higher in protein (4.03%) and carbohydrate (74.71%) compare to fruit sample of protein (1.75%) and Carbohydrate (27.37%). In addition, the fruit sample was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in Ash (3.92%), Fibre (8.10%) and Fat (56. 64%) respectively. It was also discovered that fruit sample was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron. African bush pear is a rich source of both macro, micronutrient but further studies are recommended to assess antinutrient, and people do not consume toxicological level of the seed since it.

Keywords: African Bush Pear, Proximate, Mineral

I. INTRODUCTION

African pear (Dacryodesedulis) known as Ube among the Ibo-speaking people of south-eastern Nigeria is a member of the family Burseraceae. It is an ever green tropical fruit tree which grows in the humidand sub-humid climate of the West-African countries1. The African pears (Dacryodesedulis) Fruit pulp is known for its richness in protein, fat, fibre, minerals and essential amino acids. They are consumed during the months of April to September.They are often softened by heating in hot water or ash and eaten as an accomplishment to roasted or boiled maize. However, the seeds are not eaten and are often discarded as waste or sometimes consume by domestic animals if discovered before they are rotten. Previous research2 has revealed that the seed contains 18-34% oil, making it comparable with other oil bearing seeds such as palm kernel been done on the characterization of the oil, as well as utilization of the cake in feedstuffs.

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