Proximate, Mineral and Anti-Nutrient Evaluation of Pumpkin Pulp (Cucurbita Pepo)

Abstract

Proximate, minerals and anti-nutritional concentration of Pumpkin pulp (Cucurbita pepo) were investigated using standard analytical methods as stipulated by AOAC (1990), Agte el al; (1995), Chapman and Pratt, (1961), Kadhakrishna and Sivaprasad (1980), Nelson (1968),Day and underwood, (1986). The proximate composition (%) showed that pumpkin pulp contained Total ash 15.988 ± 0.10, Moisture 0.532 ± 0.10, Fat extract 2.300 ± 0.01 Crude fibre 11.463 ± 0.10, Crude protein 3.070 ± 0.01 and Carbohydrate by difference 66.647 ± 0.01% .The mineral element were Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Ni and P with values of 189.91 ± 0.2, 179.01 ± 0.2, 0.502 ± 0.1, 1.370 ± 0.1, 3.910 ± 0.1, 0.290 ± 0.1, 0.110 ± o.1 and 11.83 ± 0.2 mg/kg respectively also Na and K with values of 159.01 ± 0.2 and K 160.31 ± 0.1 mg/l00kg were estimated using Flame Emission spectrophotometer. The anti-nutritional analysis of pumpkin pulp gives Phytates 0.618 ± 0.100mgl100kg, Oxalates 16.297 ± 0.100 mg/100kg and Tannins 0.358 ± 0.100 mg/100kg. The results obtained above goes a long way to proof that pumpkin pulp is highly nutritious and at the same time can be used as food formulation for infant due to its nutritional composition.