IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICAL THEORY (IJASMT )

E- ISSN 2489-009X
P- ISSN 2695-1908
VOL. 8 NO. 4 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijasmt.v8.no4.2022.pg5.13

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Assessment of Nutrient Quality and Spoilage Fungi Of Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Agbagwa, S. S. Chuku, E. C., Chibuike, P. M. & Onuchukwu, M. A.

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Abstract

Study of the nutrient quality and spoilage fungi of date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was carried in Plant Science and Biotechnology and Microbiology Departments in Rivers State University. Nutrient composition investigation revealed availability of proximate, mineral and vitamin components. Highest proximate content was recorded for carbohydrate (54.5 ± 0.00%) while ash recorded lowest value (0.55 ± 0.05%). Potassium and Iron recorded highest (200 ± 0.00mg/100g) and lowest (4.55 ± 0.05mg/100g) values respectively for mineral element screening. In addition, vitamin A (80 ± 0.00mg/100g) and thiamin (0.05 ± 0.00mg/100g) were the vitamins recorded in date palm fruit samples. However, several phytochemicals including oxalate, saponin, tannin, carotenoid, polyphenol, flavonoid and lignant were seen in appreciable concentration. Three fungal organisms viz: Rhizopus sp, Candida sp and Aspergillus niger were isolated from spoilt date palm fruit. Highest incidence (50%) was seen for Candida sp whereas A. niger recorded the lowest incidence (10%). Generally, date palm fruit is rich in several nutrients.

keywords:

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), fruit, nutrient and spoilage fungi.

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