Nutrients, Antinutrients and Physicochemical Compositions of Blighia Sapida Pulp and Pulp Oil (Ackee Apple)

Proximate, mineral and antinutrients of Blighia sapida fruit (Isin) were determined using standard analytical techniques. The physicochemical properties of the oil were also investigated. The mean values of various parameters for proximate composition (%) were: moisture (3.950.01), ash (6.200.03), ether extract (51.580.04), crude protein (15.270.01), crude fibre (16.140.04) and carbohydrate (by difference) (6.86). The calculated fatty acids were noted to be 41.26% and energy was 2284.67KJ/100g. Minerals (mg/100g) included: Na (29.20), K (29.52), Mg (21.12), Ca (25.07), Mn (0.07), Fe (1.95), Cu (0.09), Zn (0.28) and P (0.49) while Pb is not detected. The relationship between Na and K as well as between Ca and P, are desirable with the respective ratios of Na/K (0.99) and Ca/P (51.16). The results of physicochemical properties of Blighia sapida fruit oil with showed colour (yellow), refractive index (1.462), specific gravity (0.956), acid value (21.31mgKOH/g), saponification value (75.73mgKOH/g), iodine value (4.56mgIodine/100g), peroxide value (2.20), free fatty acids (10.71mgKOH/g), smoke point (174 0 C), fire point (320 0 C), flash point (278 0 C) and melting point (18 0 C). The antinutrients properties were phytates (0.928mg/100g), oxalate (5.422mg/100g) and Tannins (0.372mg/100g). The investigation showed that Blighia sapida fruit is highly nutritive in minerals and fat content, the oil is non-drying and may not be suitable for soap making and edible (margarine).