Evaluation of the Mineral Composition, Antioxidant Properties, Phytochemical and Anti-nutrient Composition of African Palmyra Palm (Borassus aethiopum) Fruit Flour
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Date
2019-03-27
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Abstract
African palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum) grows widely across Africa. Previous studies indicated its fruit flour has a great potential in food applications. However, there is limited information on the mineral composition, antioxidant properties, anti-nutrient composition and phytochemical composition of the flour. The main objective of this work was to investigate the effect of drying methods on the above mentioned properties of the African palmyra palm flour. Previous works carried out on the flour however indicated that drying had an influence on some quality attributes of the flour. The fresh fruit pulp was obtained, freeze dried, oven dried, solar dried and milled into flour (particle size: 450 microns and below). Phytochemical screening, mineral analysis, anti-nutrient analysis and antioxidant analysis were conducted on the flour obtained. The flour had total phenols (1518.00 - 3896.71 mg GAE/100g), potassium (237.00 - 276.73 mg/100g), magnesium (211.61 - 293.62 mg/100g) and saponin (36.10 – 55.62 g/100g). The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of many phytochemicals including glycosides. Drying had a significant effect on the analysed composition of APP flour.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Science, in partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Food Quality Management.