Proximate, Mineral, and Amino Acid Compositions of Dacryodes edulis (African Pear) Seeds gotten From the Same Parent Tree in Ekpoma in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to investigate the proximate, mineral, and amino acid compositions of Dacryodes edulis (African Pear fruit) Seeds gotten from the same parent tree in Ekpoma in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. The proximate analysis results of D. edulis seeds showed varied values ranging from 39.03±1.16 (%) for carbohydrate to 3.16±0.26 for ash. The amino acid profile of D. edulis seeds showed the presence of eight amino acids (Alanine, glutamine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, threonine and tryptophan) with different concentrations, which ranged from 6.18 Pmol/g for threonine to 29.21 Pmol/g for proline. Similarly, the mineral analysis results showed the presence of twelve elements (Cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus) with the lowest mineral value of 20.00±0.97 mg/kg given by copper and the highest value of 17316.31±46.06 mg/kg obtained from potassium. Therefore, this study has shown that D. edulis seeds are rich in nutrients, containing both essential and non-essential amino acids, and their similarity to other poultry diets will allow for their substitution.