Estimation of Proximate, Phytochemical, Vitamin and Mineral Compositions of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) Seed and its potential in Traditional Medicine

Abstract:

Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) seed is commonly eaten because of its distinct flavor and alleged health advantages. This study’s goal was to evaluate the seed of Tetracarpidium conophorum for its proximate, phytochemical, vitamin, and mineral contents. A botanist identified cooked T. conophorum seeds that were bought at the “Oja-Oba” market in Ibadan, Nigeria. Before being ground into a coarse powder, the nuts’ shells were removed and they were air-dried for seven days. Using accepted techniques, the proximate, phytochemical, vitamin, and mineral components were determined. According to the proximate analysis’s findings, the largest and lowest nutritional classes in T. conophorum seed were crude fat (36.06%) and fiber (3.64%), respectively. The seed’s phytochemical makeup showed that it contains a variety of secondary metabolites, with the highest and lowest quantities being saponin (7.95 mg/100g) and alkaloid (0.44 mg/100g), respectively. Vitamins were found to be abundant in T. conophorum seed, with vitamin E having the highest concentration (58.58 mg/100g) and vitamin B₁₂ having the lowest (0.16 mg/100g). The highest and lowest mineral concentrations found in T. conophorum seeds were 57.57 mg/100g of magnesium and 0.41 mg/100g of zinc. The findings of this study demonstrated the nutritional value of cooked T. conophorum seed is high. It might be added to food as a supplement to lessen malnutrition. The seed’s potential as a therapeutic agent should be investigated.