Abstract

The pulp of Detarium microcarpum fruit was extracted and samples were analyzed for the proximate, vitamin, mineral and anti-nutrient composition using standard methods. Crude protein content obtained in D. microcarpum fruit was 4.68% while the crude fat content was 2.23%. The fruit also contained 4.47% moisture, 4.47% ash, 11.06% crude fibre and 65.38% total carbohydrates. The mineral composition of the fruit pulp showed that potassium was the most abundant (908.10 mg/100 g) and cadmium was the least abundant (0.03 mg/100 mg). Vitamin analysis showed that the fruit is rich in vitamin C (55.10 mg/100 g). The fruit was also discovered to contain 12.44 mg/100 g, vitamin E, 4.20 mg/100 g vitamin B₂ and 0.17 mg/100 g folic acid. The anti-nutrient compositions of D. microcarpum were phytate (0.41 mg/100 g), cyanide (0.07 mg/100 g), tannin 0.17 mg/100 g, oxalate 1.06 mg/100 g, saponin (2.73 mg/100 g). D. microcarpum fruit is a good source of carbohydrates, fibre, minerals and vitamins and could also contribute to the daily requirements of protein and fats. The anti-nutrient contents of the fruit pulp are lower than established toxic levels.

Key words: Detarium microcarpum, nutritional composition, proximate, antinutrient.