Proximate, Elemental and Anti-nutrients Composition of Pumpkin Seed ( cucurbita maxima duch ex lam) Obtained from Duvu Mubi South Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study the proximate composition, elemental and anti-nutrients composition of pumpkin seed (cucurbita maxima duch ex lam) obtained from Duvu were determined using standard methods. The proximate composition of pumpkin seed showed protein (5.63 ± 0.01%), fats/lipids (2.65± 0.00%), fibre (49.83± 0.01%), ash (2.50± 0.00%), moisture (9.00 ± 0.00%) and carbohydrate (26.46±0.02%) for peels only while protein (35.46 ± 0.01%), fats/lipids (2.20 ± 0.00%), fibre (17.63± 0.01%) ash (4.49± 0.01%), moisture (10.5 ± 0.00%) and carbohydrate (6.08 ± 0.02%) for the unpeeled seeds flour, and protein (33.80 ± 0.01%), fats/lipds (43.15±0.00%), fibre (1.86±0.01%), ash (5.23±0.01%), moisture (10.30 ±0.00%) and carbohydrate (5.65 ±0.03%) for the peeled seed kernel flour. The elemental analysis carried out showed Ca (42.16± 0.01 mg/100 g), Fe (2.72±0.01 mg/100 g), P (124.14 ±0.02mg/100 g), K (177.34 ±0.02mg/100g), Na (41.35 ±0.01mg/100g), Mg (64.84 ±0.02mg/100 g) and Zn (8.42 ±0.01mg/100 g) for the peels only and that of unpeeled seed flour showed Ca (128.67 ±0.02mg/100 g), Fe (10.49 ±0.02mg/100 g), P (875.63 ±0.01mg/100 g), K (511.43 ±0.01mg/100 g), Na (68.26 ±0.02 mg/100 g), Mg (284.54 ±0.01mg/100 g) and Zn (6.44 ±0.02mg/10 g) while Ca (145.30±0.02 mg/100 g), Fe (13.59 ±0.01mg/100 g), P (124.35 ± 0.00 mg/100 g), K (752.64 ±0.02mg/100 g), Na (51.23 ± 0.01mg/100 g), Mg (351.63 ±0.01mg/100 g) and Zn (1.76 ± 0.01mg/100 g) for the peeled seed kernel. The anti-nutrient analysis showed tannin (2.15 ± 0.01%), cyanide (0.026 ± 0.00%), phytate (6.26 ± 0.01%) and oxalate (3.74 ± 0.02%) for the peels only while tannin (3.14 ±0.02%), cyanide (0.062±0.00%), phytate (4.54 ± 0.02%) and oxalate (2.92 ±0.01%) for the unpeeled seed and tannin (0.86 ± 0.01%), phytate (0.86±0.01%) and oxalate (1.96 ± 0.01%) for the peeled seed kernel while cyanide was not detected. The fats, protein and fibre were higher in the sample while moisture, ash and carbohydrate were low. Phosphorus, K and Ca showed higher concentration with Zn been the least in all the samples. Peeled seed kernel showed higher concentration of Ca, Fe, P, K and Mg in all the samples. Unpeeled seed showed higher concentration of phytate than in the peels and peeled seed kernel. The result of this research will be useful in nutritional, pharmaceutical and oil industry.