African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (12), pp. 1439-1442, December 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Preliminary Studies on Piliostigma thonningii seeds: Proximate analysis, mineral composition and phytochemical screening

Jimoh F.O.* and Oladiji A.T.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail asjimoh02@yahoo.com.

Accepted 27 October, 2005

Qualitative determination of chemical and nutritional composition of Piliostigma thonningii, an underexploited crop seed in Nigeria, was carried out.  Seeds of P. thonningii were found to be rich in crude protein, carbohydrate, and mineral elements. Mineral analysis of P. thonningii showed the seed as good source of antioxidant micronutrients such as iron, calcium, selenium, zinc and manganese. The phytochemical screening of the seed showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, anthraquinones as well as cardiac glycosides while tannins, steroids, phylobatannins and triterpenes were absent. Although the oil has a very low peroxide value and high iodine value, it cannot be recommended for consumption because of the low yield  as well as its repulsive odour. The seed, however, can serve as a cheap source of protein, energy, as well as antioxidant micronutrients supplements in both man and animal.

Key words: Piliostigma thonningii, proximate composition, phytochemical screening, antioxidant micronutrients.