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Studies on some
nutritional characteristics of the fruit and leaf of Saba
florida (Benth) from Ibaji forest
Omale James*
and Omajali
B
Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba,
Kogi State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
jamesomale123@yahoo.com.
Tel:
+234(0)8068291727
Accepted
11 November, 2009 |
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Natural sources of nutrients for both humans and
animals have become of immense biomedical significance. In
this study, some nutrient composition of the fruit and leaf
of Saba florida (Benth) from Ibaji forest were
evaluated using HPLC. The results showed that the plant
parts studied contained significant level of Vitamins A and
E. Lipids of physiologic and nutritional importance such as
lauric, myristic, oleic, linoleic and stearic acids were
detected in some parts of the plant. Oleic acid was highest
in the fruit pericarp (12.387%).The study also showed that
the fruit pulp contain high amount (285.521%) of cholesterol
than other parts investigated. The results suggest that
S. florida (Benth) is rich in essential fatty
acids, vitamins A and E. We therefore conclude that
judicious consumption of the fruit and leaf of S. florida
could play both physiologic and nutritional roles in human
and animal body.
Key
words:
Saba florida, lipids, vitamins, Ibaji. |
