Abstract:
The study was carried out to determine the morphology, uses and proximate composition of Blighia sapida, an indigenous fruit tree, in rainforest and savanna zone of Ondo, Osun and Oyo States, Nigeria.10% of the total number of local governments in each ecological zone was randomly selected. Three Blighia sapida trees were selected from each local government and their diameter, height and crown diameter were measured using girth tape, relaskop and diameter tape respectively. Thereafter, samples of matured Blighia sapida fruit were collected from the three trees and the seed weight, haul weight and length of the fruit were measured using weighing balance and venier caliper. The fruits from the three trees were polled together for analyses. Information on the uses of Blighia sapida was obtained from three communities in each local government using a well structured questionnaire. The analyses that were performed for the edible part (aril) and seed of Blighia sapida include, Analyses for proximate composition (moisture content, ash, crude protein, crude fibre, fat, carbohydrate, pH) and mineral contents (calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, potassium, sodium, zinc).The result for the proximate composition of Blighia sapidaaril showed that it is significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in Oyo State in Potassium, Sodium, Calcium and moisture content with the values of (80.33±12.62), (67.33±17.80), (61.50±19.17)and (66.36±3.62) respectively. Its high deterioration is due to its high moisture content. Significant differences were observed for some of the chemical components between savanna and rainforest while some had no significant differences. The findings from this study provide information on the dependence of respondents, on the various uses of Blighia sapida as a whole or in part to meet their various needs (for food, medicine, laundry and building) across the study areas. The morphology of the ackee tree varies across the study areas thereby contributing to the variations in the fruit parameters. Blighia sapida is a good source of Vitamin A; it can be consumed for bright eyes as it was confirmed by few of the respondents interviewed and it can also be consumed by pregnant women because of its high concentration of minerals. The consumption of Blighia sapida is not detrimental to health; the morphological traits can be studies so as to devise a proper domestication strategy that will encourage the wide use of the plant as food supplements in food manufacturing companies.
