+44-7897-074717*Damilola Alex Omoboyowa1, Glory Otuchristian1, Garba Jeremiah Danladi1, Chintua Ephraim Igara2, Kerian Chigozie Ngobidi1, Martin Umoh Okon1 and Flourence Amaka Agbo
The seed of Citrulus lanatus and Cocos nucifera stem bark were analyzed for their phytochemical, proximate, nutrient and anti-nutrient compositions. The results obtained from the analysis of both plants were compared. The result reveals that both plants contain substantial amount of saponnins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenol. The concentration of alkaloids and steroids present in the C. lanatus seed were significantly (p<0.0.05) higher compared with the level observed in C. nucifera stem bark. There was generally low percentage proximate fractions of C. lanatus seeds in terms ash and fibre and low percentage fractions of protein, ash, fats and fibre were observed in the C. nucifera stem bark. Protein and fats composition of C. lanatus seed were observed to be significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with the compositions present in C. nucifera stem bark Iron was the most abundant micro element present ranging from 4.089 μg/g in C. lanatus seed to 3.66 μg/g in C. nucifera stem bark. This was followed by zinc; the values of magnesium were very traced in both plants. Results of analysis of C. lanatus seed and C. nucifera stem bark showed that the plants are rich in some vitamins such as vitamin A, E and C which were observed to be abundant while low concentration of vitamin B1, B2 and B3 were observed in both plants. The anti-nutrient analysis of C. lanatus seed and C. nucifera stem bark revealed low level of phytate, oxalate, hemaglutinin and trypsin inhibitor ranging from 0.677 mg/100g to 2.370 mg/100g, 0.082 mg/100 g to 0.97 mg/100 g, 0.549 % to 0.690% and 0.456 mg/100 g to 0.550 mg/100 g respectively. This study has shown that C. lanatus seed and C. nucifera stem bark are good source of phytochemicals that are biologically important, thus they can be potential sources of useful drugs in the management of some ailments.
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