PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA (JACQ.)R. BR. EX DON SEEDS IN DERIVED SAVANNA ECOSYSTEM OF SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the proximate composition and phytochemical properties of P. biglobosa seeds collected from three States (Osun, Ondo and Ekiti) in the derived savanna ecosystem of South-Western part of Nigeria. P. biglobosa seed samples were collected from ten trees with sufficient fruits and without visible insect damage or disease symptoms on agroforestry farms in six communities within the study area. The seeds were removed manually and milled into flour for analyses (proximate composition, phytochemical and antioxidant properties) using standard methods. The results revealed that there were no significant differences (p >0.05) in the the protein contents (37.31%-39.84%) of the seeds from the three states. Tannin content of P. biglobosa seeds from Ondo State (5.00g/100g) was significantly higher than those from Osun and Ekiti States. Alkaloid contents from the seeds ranged from (4.44 g/100g-4.90 g/100g) and it was observed that the phytate content of seeds from the states were significantly different. P. biglobosa seeds from Ekiti State were found to possess highest value of total phenol (27.44 g/100g) and total flavonoid (4.27 g/100g) while the sample from Ondo State exhibited highest vitamin C content (62.41 g/100g). The ability of the samples to scavenge DPPH radical was highest in Ondo State sample (78.35%) which may be attributed to the vitamin C content. The result is an indication that further studies should be carried out to investigate the application of seeds of P. biglobosa as an ingredient in functional foods.