Elemental Composition and Proximate Analysis of Shea Butter Sold in Swali Market, Yenegoa, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluates the elemental and proximate composition of Shea butter sold in Swali market Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Proximate analysis was carried out using standard method of AOAC (2005) while elemental analysis was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Flame photometer. The proximate values were: Moisture (5.220±0.113 %), Crude fibre (0.111±0.001%), Crude Protein (42.316±0.000%), Crude fat (97.000±0.000%), Ash content (0.084±0.006%), Carbohydrate (34.096±0.011%). Results of the elemental analysis (mg/100g) showed that Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Calcium, Zinc and Manganese contents of the Shea butter were: 836.83±0.101, 45.81±000, 0.61±0.111, 2.56±0.111, 0.18±0.000, 31.31±0.113, 0.30±0.101 and 0.23±0.113 respectively. The elemental and proximate values indicated that Shea butter has nutritive components comparable to other popular nutritious food substances. Hence, its consumption for edible and non-edible purposes should be promoted.