Proximate and Phytochemical Analysis of Monodora myristica (African Nutmeg) from Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the proximate composition and phytochemical (qualitative and quantitative) analysis of ground seeds of Monodora myristica (African nutmeg)which was obtained from Nsukka, Enugu state. The proximate and phytochemical analysis of the seeds was carried out by using the standard methods. Results from the study show that the mean values of various parameters for the proximate composition were (14.50±0.52%) moisture, (2.50±0.50%) total ash, (16.00±1.00%) crude lipid, (12.09±0.52%) crude protein, (19.00±1.00%) crude fibre and (35.92%) carbohydrate. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that steroids was detected in high amount, saponin and terpenoids were detected in moderate amount while tannin, phenol and alkaloid were detected in low amount. Anthocyanins, glycoside and anthroquinone were not detected. Also the result of the study showed that steroid was detected in high amount (32.75±5.42%), saponinns (12.04±3.33%) and terpenoid (19.00±3.18%) were detected in moderate amount, alkaloid (2.75±0.82%), and phenol (0.46±0.10%) was detected in low amount.