Proximate and Mineral Analysis of Selected Cucurbita Species in Nigeria

Abstract

chemical compositions of Curcubita maxima, Curcubita moschata and Cucurbita pepo were examined. The proximate compositions were determined by soxhlet extraction, official method of Association of Analytical Chemist, Kjeldhal and other standard procedure, the Mineral contents were determined using Atomic Emission Spectrometry, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Vanado-molybdate method. The results from the proximate analyses of the seeds revealed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences among the samples in all the parameters (moisture content, crude fibre, ash, protein, carbohydrate and fat) considered. Cucurbita pepo recorded the highest values in terms of crude protein, fat and fibre (31.54 %, 43.04% and 4.18 % respectively) while Cucurbita moschata had the least protein 23.53% and Cucurbita maxima had the least fat and fibre (28.31% and 3.08% respectively). Percentage carbohydrate content and moisture was highest in Cucurbita maxima (30.30% and 7.20% respectively). Cucurbita moschata had the least percentage moisture (5.16%) and Cucurbita pepo least carbohydrate (11.20%). The mineral analysis revealed that potassium has the highest value (7.40mg/100g) and was obtained in Cucurbita moschata followed by phosphorus (5.34mg/100g) in Cucurbita maxima. In terms of Magnesium and calcium Cucurbita pepo has the highest with (2.10mg/100g) and (2.10mg/100g) respectively. In terms of Na and Cu, Cucurbita moschata has the highest (0.62 and 0.02mg/100g) while Cucurbita maxima has the highest in terms of Zn (0.04 mg/100g). The results of the study revealed that Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo seed flour are a good source of important nutrients such as fat, protein, fibre and minerals. The high contents of protein and fat make these seeds valuable dietary supplements especially for the less privileged people that cannot afford meat and dairy products.