ASSESSMENT OF FOOD AND MEDICINAL VALUES OF ANNONIDIUM MANNI (OLIV.) ENGL. & DIELS AND PICRALIMA NITIDA DURAND & HOOK AND THEIR POTENTIAL CONSUMPTION RISK

• A. Lawal

  Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria;

  Author

• O.J. Oyebola

  Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Management, Ondo State, Nigeria;

  Author

• V.A.J. Adekunle

  Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria;

  Author

• I.K. Agbede

  Institute of Ecology and Environmental Study, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun State, Nigeria. Corresponding

  Author

In arid and semi-arid regions, frequent crop failure usually has a negative impact on locals' nutritional status. In order to provide enough food for the growing population, it is crucial to identify other sources of supply. Matured fruits of Annonidium manni and Picralima nitida were randomly collected from different locations in Ondo State. Each fruit was separated into seeds and pulp. Each part was subjected to nutritional and anti-nutritional analysis according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) standard. The results revealed that crude protein obtained for the seed and pulp of P. nitida and A. manni fruits ranged from 3.31-8.67% and was considered low in protein content. Furthermore, low crude fiber content was discovered in the pulps and seeds of the two fruits. The concentration of tannin in all the samples was low and was within the standard safe limit (60.00mg/100g). The flavonoid content in the seeds and pulp of the two fruits ranged from 0.4% to 8.5%. It was also discovered that the seeds and pulp of these fruits have higher levels of vitamin C. The phenol content of P. nitida seed and A. manni pulp ranged from 15.21–21.76 and 8.45–26.62, respectively. It was discovered that the pulp and seeds of these forest fruits had a very high oxalate concentration and, in particular, a cyanide concentration, higher than the estimated maximum sub-lethal dose of cyanide of 20 mgHCN/kg recommended by FAO. The high cyanide in the pulp and seeds of P. nitida and A. mannfruits poses considerable danger to consumers and, as such, raw consumption of the fruits is not recommended. Further research into the boiled or fermented fruits of these tree species is also recommended.

1. A. Lawal, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria;

   Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria;

2. O.J. Oyebola, Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Management, Ondo State, Nigeria;

   Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Environmental Management, Ondo State, Nigeria;

3. V.A.J. Adekunle, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria;

   Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria;

4. I.K. Agbede, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Study, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun State, Nigeria. Corresponding

   Institute of Ecology and Environmental Study, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun State, Nigeria. Corresponding

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