CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTI-INHIBITORY PROPERTIES OF SEEDS AND SEED OIL OF CROTON PENDULIFLORUS (TURK’S CAP)

Abstract

Proximate composition, mineral contents, phytochemical screening, anti nutrient and amino acid contents, of the whole seed and dehulled seed of Croton pendulifloruswere determinedusing standard methods. Also, physico-chemical properties, inhibitory properties and fatty acid composition of the seed oil were evaluated. Proximate composition of whole and dehulled seed in percentage are: Moisture (6.13, 3.19), ash (6.50, 3.00), protein (8.29, 10.58), fat (32.04, 54.00), crude fiber (1.42, 1.00), and carbohydrate (45.70, 28.23) respectively. The food energy of the whole and dehulled seed are2103.43 KJ/100g and2657.77 KJ/100grespectively. Mineral compositions of whole and dehulled seeds in mg/kg are: Na (32.00, 42.17), Fe (8.32, 17.51), Zn (1.21, 1.50), Cu (2.15, 2.60), K (246.00, 264.00), Ca (63.50, 65.70), Mg (33.30, 51.20), and Mn (0.80, 1.00) respectively. Phytochemical screening shows the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids. Phytochemical compositions in percentages are: flavonoid (7.23, 7.54), terpenoid (18.64, 34.37), saponin (20.57, 20.25) for whole and dehulled seeds respectively. Amino acid profiles of both samples shows that seventeen amino acids were present in varying concentrations.Amino acid content in mg/g; glutamic acid (153.0, 136.3), leucine (60.6, 81.7), isoleucine (32.7, 41.2) and valine (31.8, 45.2) for whole and dehulled seeds respectively are considerably high. Zones of inhibition were greater in whole seeds compared to dehulled seeds. Total amino acid was higher in dehulled seeds compared to whole seeds. Predominant fatty acid component for both samples was linolenic acid. Generally the samples are good sources of minerals, amino acids and oil for various domestic and industrial applications.