PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF BITTER KOLA (GARCINIA KOLA) FRUIT MESOCARP

A. E. Aiwonegbe; F. I. Omenai; J. U. Iyasele

A. E. Aiwonegbe Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
F. I. Omenai Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin, Edo State, Nigeria
J. U. Iyasele Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study evaluated the proximate composition and phytochemical content of Garcinia kola. Colour, shape, texture, odour, flavour and colour of the pod were the physical characteristics studied. The proximate analysis revealed that carbohydrate (62.23%) was observed to be the most abundant biological component. The ash content (12.01%) was significantly high followed by the fat/oil (11.20%), while crude fibre (6.80%), moisture content (4.95%) and crude protein (2.81%) were present in appreciable amount. The phytochemical screening showed that the pod contains tannins, saponins, phenolics, reducing sugar, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides.
These results shows that Garcinia kola pod, which is ordinarily considered as waste, possess medicinal and nutritional benefits.

Author Biographies

A. E. Aiwonegbe, Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

F. I. Omenai, Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin, Edo State, Nigeria

Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin, Edo State, Nigeria

J. U. Iyasele, Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Department of Chemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.