A.E. Irondi, K.K.
Anokam, P.C. Chukwuma, J.K. Akintunde, and I.O. Nurain, from the institute
of Nigeria. wrote a Research article about, Nutrient Changes in
Tetrapleura tetraptera Across Maturity Stages. entitled, Variation in nutrients
composition of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit at two maturity stages. This
research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an
open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation
of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open
access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.
Abstract
Variation in the
nutrients composition of the seed and pod of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit
was investigated at two maturity stages, namely, mature-green (MG) and
ripe-brown (RB) stages. The proximate composition and food energy content on
dry weight basis (DW) of the seed and pod varied significantly (P < 0.05) at
the two maturity stages. MG seed (MGS) recorded the highest moisture content (6.87%);
RB pod (RBP) had the highest carbohydrate (87.49 %), while RB seed (RBS) had
the highest crude fat (14.46%), protein (28.72%), ash (5.59%) and food energy
(424.60 cal/g). Starch, sugar, amylose and amylopectin also varied
significantly (P < 0.05) in the seed and pod at the two maturity stages,
such that MG pod (MGP) had the highest starch (48.19%); RBP had the highest
sugar (31.71%) and amylopectin (99.90%), whereas MGS had the highest amylose
contents (0.41%). There was also significant variation (P < 0.05) in the
minerals levels (DW ) of the seed and pod, with RBS having the highest Ca
(15508.67 mg/Kg), Mg (403.54 mg/Kg), P (1494.74 mg/Kg), Fe (22.65 mg/Kg), Zn
(5.25 mg/Kg) and Mn (59.35 mg/Kg). RBP had the highest Na (201.64 mg/Kg), K
(4314.34 mg/Kg) and Co (1.16 mg/Kg), while MGS recorded the highest Se (1.21
mg/Kg) and Cu (8.25 mg/Kg) contents. Although advancing maturity had effect on
the levels of the various nutrients of both the seed and pod of T. tetraptera fruit,
generally the seed could provide more nutrients than the pod at the two stages
of maturity investigated.
Read more : Grain & Oil Yield Variability in Castor Bean Accessions Across Savannah Zones | InformativeBD
Introduction
Nutrients both macro-
and micro- play an important role in the maintenance of the body’s well-being
and metabolism. A balanced intake of nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
minerals and vitamins) helps in maintaining good state of health. Dietary
proteins functionally promote growth, and are needed for the synthesis of
enzymes, hormones and antibodies (Cheesebrough, 1987). Carbohydrates and fats
provide the energy need of the body for physical, physiological and metabolic
activities. Minerals serve a wide variety of essential physiological functions,
ranging from structural components of body tissues to essential components of
many enzymes and other biologically important molecules (Flynn, 1992).
Fruits constitute a
significant component of the human diet. Fruit tissues development and
maturation is the final phase of floral development that is signaled by
successful pollination (O’Neill, 1997). Ripening is known to affect both the
physical and chemical attributes of fruits, imparting numerous quality and
nutritional characteristics upon the fruits (Giovannoni, 2001). Ripening
influences various critical aspects of mature fruit, including fiber content
and composition, lipid metabolism, and the levels of vitamins and various
antioxidants (Ronen et al., 1999). Factors such as climate, soil type and
fertility, season, leaf-stem ratio, and physiology affect the nutrient
composition of plants at different stages of maturity and development.
Tetrapleura tetraptera
is a deciduous plant belonging to the mimosaceae family. It is generally found
in the lowland forest of tropical Africa. In Nigeria, the tree begins flowering
towards the end of February and is over in early April. The indehiscent pods
are ripe from September to December, during which it is deciduous (Opabode et
al., 2011). The fruits consist of a fleshy pulp with small, brownishblack
seeds. The fruits are green when tender and dark brown when fully ripe, and
possess both nutritional and medicinal values (Adetunji and Aladesanmi, 2006).
When dry, the fruit has a pleasant aroma and hence is used as a seasoning spice
in the Southern part of Nigeria (Essien et al., 1994; Aladesanmi, 2007). The
dry fruit is also used in flavoring traditional pepper soup for breastfeeding
mothers from the first day of delivery to prevent postpartum contractions, and
to serve as a lactation aid (Nwaiwu et al., 1986, Ojewole and Adewunmi, 2004).
In West Africa this plant is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of several
ailments such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis, asthma, epilepsy
and schistomiasis (Ojewole and Adewunmi, 2004).
In view of the food and
therapeutic uses of T. tetraptera fruit and the possible influence of maturity
on its nutrients composition, this study was designed to evaluate the variation
in the chemical composition and mineral content of the seed and pod of T.
tetraptera fruit at two maturity stages.
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