Abstract

Carica papaya Linn. is known for its nutritional values. The seeds are often discarded after eating the fruits. This research work was carried out to determine some in vitro qualities of its products. The oil qualities are: specific gravity (0.918 ± 0.002), refractive index (1.469 ± 0.003), free fatty acid (0.277 ± 0.006 mgKOH/g), thiobarbituric acid (0.451 ± 0.005 μm/g), and saponification (32.900 ± 0.739 mgKOH/g). The oil has high fat (26.660 ± 0.052%), carbohydrates (72.69 ± 0.062%) and the energy values (524.913 ± 0.591 kcal/100g). The seed coat possessed high crude fibre (30.451 ± 6.209%), ash (9.042 ± 0.012%), crude protein (32.680 ± 0.035%), and thiobarbituric acid (1.819 ± 0.004 μM/g). It also possesses antioxidant reducing activity (39.167 ± 0.722 μg/ml), free radical scavenging power (42.923 ± 5.825%) and polyphenol (119.917 ± 2.626 μg/ml). Both products could provide nutritional and health benefits when consumed.

Key words: Carica papaya seed, oil, seed coat, qualities, antioxidant, nutrition, wastages.