Studies on the Nutritional and Phytochemical Properties of Persea americana Seed

Abstract

The phytochemical, nutrient, antinutrient and mineral element composition of seed extract of Persea americana were investigated. Phytochemical analyses of the seed extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides but no anthracine glycosides. Proximate analysis gave 12.90 ± 1.57% moisture; 18.53 ± 0.26% crude fat; 18.55±1.26% crude protein; 47.35±24% carbohydrate; 2.6±0.63% ash; 3.17±0.17% crude fibre. The seed also was a rich source of mineral elements; containing calcium 12.30±0.08 mg; iron 0.307± 0.13mg; magnesium 21. 12±3.86 mg; phosphorus 46.00±1.72 mg; potassium 103.8±0.22 mg; sodium 0.302± 0.02 mg; and zinc 0.087±0.01mg per 100gm dry weight respectively. Quantitative analyses of the anti nutritional components revealed oxalate, phytate, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and cyanogenic glycoside contents of 27.25±4.10, 5.44±0.03, 33.23±1.73, 56.11±0.21, 1.90 ± 0.08 and 24.01± 0.25 mg/100gm dry weight respectively. Keywords: Persea americana seed, Phytochemical screening, Proximate analysis, Antinutritional components, Mineral contentBio-Research Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 320-322