PROXIMATE, MINERAL AND ANTI-NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF Annona muricata (SOURSOP) SEEDS

Abstract

Annona muricata is one plant whose seed can be explored as food and source of nutrient to both animal and man. The nutritional, minerals and antinutritional value of soursop dehulled seed, coat and unhulled seed were determined using AOAC (2006) method for food analysis. The results of the proximate analysis showed that the dehulled seed had the highest percentage moisture content, ash content and crude protein with 28.01±0.08 %, 2.18±0.04 % and 21.88±0.43 % respectively while the seed coat had the lowest with corresponding values of 20.63±0.93 %, 0.49±0.02 % and 5.69±0.31 % respectively. The fat content and calorific value (20.40±1.02 % and 402.20±0.01 kcal/100g respectively) of the dehulled seed were the highest while the unhulled seed (13.18±1.01% and 352.22±0.01 kcal/100g respectively)were the lowest. Value obtained for crude fibre was highest in the seed coat (6.82±1.01 %) and lowest in the dehulled seed (2.14±0.01%). Carbohydrate content was highest in the unhulled seed (50.53±0.53 %) and lowest in the dehulled seed (32.77±0.77 %). Mineral contents in the three samples were in the order: K > Ca >Mg > Na > Cu. Cyanide content was highest in the dehulled (390.20±1.70 mg/100g) and lowest in the unhulled seed (358.40±1.70 mg/100g). Oxalate and Tannins content in the seed coat (1.58±0.03 and 12.61±3.70 mg/100g respectively) were the highest while the unhulled seed (0.34±0.20 and 5.91±0.24 mg/100g respectively)had the lowest. Results obtained revealed that soursop dehulled seed, seed coat and unhulled seed have some nutritional components required for proper functioning of the body.