Comparative Phytochemical and Proximate Analysis of Pulp and Seed Extracts Obtained from the Fruits of Canarium schweinfurthii
Ebele Lauretta Iloanya *
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Obiajulu Christian Ezeigwe
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ogochukwu Rita Ngwu
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ogechukwu Frances Nworji
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Joy Ogana
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Canarium schweinfurthii (Burseraceae) has been used in Traditional Medicine in Nigeria, and the general public widely consumes its fruits for their nutritional value.
Aim: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of the phytochemical composition and proximate nutritional profiles of pulp and seed extracts from C. schweinfurthii fruits.
Methods: Phytochemical analysis was conducted using GC-MS-FID, and proximate analysis was performed following standard AOAC (2004) methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.
Results: The pulp was notably rich in phytochemicals such as catechin (190.06 ± 3.29 ppm), kaempferol (58.97 ± 1.02 ppm), resveratrol (28.80 ± 0.50 ppm), isorhamnetin (29.68 ± 0.51 ppm), and tangeretin (42.42 ± 0.73 ppm), compared with the seed (10.65 ± 0.18 ppm), (0.00 ± 0.00 ppm), (0.55 ± 0.02 ppm), (0.29 ± 0.01 ppm), and (0.00 ± 0.00 ppm), respectively. Kaempferol, luteolin, and tangeretin were detected exclusively in the pulp sample. The seed contained significantly higher levels of quercetin (28.78 ± 0.50 ppm), baicalin (10.77 ± 0.19 ppm), and naringenin (8.94 ± 0.21 ppm), compared with the pulp sample (2.76 ± 0.06 ppm), (0.00 ± 0.00 ppm), and (2.99 ± 0.07 ppm), respectively. Baicalin, silymarin, and hesperetin were detected exclusively in the seed. The seed contained significantly higher crude protein (14.90 ± 0.22%), total carbohydrate (57.89% ± 0.50%), ash (9.35 ± 0.11%), and crude fibre (7.74 ± 0.11%), whereas the pulp sample contained higher moisture (28.37 ± 0.25%) and fat (6.65 ± 0.08%) contents.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that C. schweinfurthii pulp and seed samples contain phytochemicals and proximate compositions that may support physiological processes and reduce the risk of diseases. While the seed sample is rich in macronutrients that support its role as a dietary protein and energy supplement, the pulp sample is rich in dietary polyphenolic antioxidants that may be valuable for the development of nutraceuticals.
Keywords: C. schweinfurthii, fruits, pulps, seeds, phytochemical composition, proximate analysis