Proximate Analysis and Determination of Some Selected Vitamins and Minerals Contents of Terminalia Catappa Endocarp Flour

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the proximate, minerals, vitamins content of milled Terminalia catappa endocarp flour as possible source of nutrients. The analyses were done using standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The result of the proximate composition showed the following; moisture (5.00 ± 0.28 g/100g), ash content (11.03 ± 0.25 g/100g), crude protein (8.28 ± 0.35 g/100g), crude fat (8.53 ± 0.18 g/100g), crude fibre (36.33 ± 0.18 g/100g) and carbohydrate (30.85 ± 0.71 g/100g). The mineral contents;calcium (220.19 ± 0.19 mg/100g), magnesium (43.66 ± 0.06 mg/100g), phosphorus (41.87 ± 0.99 mg/100g), potassium (326.32 ± 0.18 mg/100g), sodium (16.75 ± 0.13 mg/100g). It also contained vitamin A (6.45 ± 0.00 mg/100g), vitamin B2 – riboflavin (0.09 ± 0.01 mg/100g), vitamin B1 – thiamine (0.345 ± 0.10 mg/100g), vitamin B3 – niacin (2.52 ± 0.09 mg/100g) and vitamin C – ascorbic acid (14.58 ± 0.09 mg/100g). Terminalia catappa wastes can be sources of nutrients, mineral elements and vital vitamins that were nutritionally important for body health. Therefore, proper exploration of these waste will result in proper tropical almond wastes utilization and help in solid waste management (waste reduction), thereby resulting environmental sustainability.