Evaluation of the Essential Minerals, Antioxidants and Antinutrient Profile of Jack Fruit Parts (Artocarpus heterophyllum lam) Obtained in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Jackfruit is the world largest tree borne fruit, usually cultivated for its high yield and its sweet and highly flavored taste. It is made up of several parts (peal, bulb, core and seed etc), of which only the edible bulb is under utilized while the other parts are unutilized and assumed waste in this part of the world. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the essential minerals, antioxidants and antinutritional components of these parts separately using acceptable methods. The plant used for the study was that cultivated here in Akwa Ibom and at the edible ripe stage. The result showed that all parts of the fruits contain all the analyzed chemicals revealing that the highest levels of Ca(23.4 ± 0.29), Phosphorus (P) (0.09 ± 0.01), Cobolt (Co) (0.94 ± 0.01) and Iron (Fe) (29.21 ± 1.30) were in the skin, and the least of these elements Ca(13.5 ± 1.5), P (0.01 ± 0.00), Co (0.15 ± 0.01) and Fe (0.96 ± 0.02) were found in the edible bulb. Highest concentrations of Sodium Na (12.21 ± 3.07) , Potassium K (4.18 ± 0.35) and Magnesium Mg (6.03 ± 1.35) were recorded in the seed and their least values Na (6.02 ± 0.02), K (0.88 ± 0.06) and Mg (2.41 ± 0.48) were recorded in the edible bulb, rag and skin respectively. Finally Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) had their highest values (0.71 ± 0.00, 0.52 ± 0.00 and 0.44 ± 0.00) respectively recorded in the edible bulb and their lowest values all recorded in the rag. All the parts analyzed exhibited quite appreciable level of vitamins A, C and E. The antinutrient levels are not significant. Thus attention be given to the cultivation processing, distribution and effective utilization of the fruits.

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