-The knowledge of the chemical composition of unpopular sources of edible oils has become paramount to supplement the usage of widely known vegetable oils. In this study, the gas chromatographic quantification of fatty acids and phytochemicals was carried out, and the physicochemical and micronutrient composition of Duranta repens leaf and seed oil were evaluated using standard methods. The leaf oils contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) peroxide, iodine and thiobarbituric acid values, refractive index, and moisture contents, while the saponification value, specific gravity, melting point and pH were significantly higher in the seed oil. The seed oils contained higher Mg, K, Na and vitamin K contents while the leaf oil contained higher Fe, vitamin A and vitamin D contents. The occurrence of the fatty acids were as follows: palmitic > oleic > myristic > stearic > capric > linoleic > lauric > palmitoleic for the seed oil, while for the leaf oil linoleic > palmitoleic > oleic > stearic > palmitic > myristic > capric > lauric > myristoleic. The major phytochemical constituents of the seed oils were catechin (68.12 ug/ml), saponin (44.03 ug/ml), rutin (32.89 ug/ml), linamarin (22.66 ug/ml) and tannins (19.62 ug/ml), while kaempherol (84.05 ug/ml), rutin (62.26 ug/ml) and saponins (45.63 ug/ml) were mostly predominant in the leaf oil. Spartein, anthocyanins and phytates were among the least phytochemicals in composition, for both samples. These chemical properties evaluated, suggest that Duranta repens seed oil is more suitable for industrial and therapeutic purposes.Keywords: fatty acids / micronutrient / phytochemicals / physicochemical / Duranta repens Résumé -Caractérisation des huiles de feuilles et graines de Duranta Repens. La connaissance de la composition chimique des sources d'huiles comestibles peu utilisées est devenue primordiale afin de compléter l'utilisation des huiles végétales plus largement connues. Dans cette étude, la quantification, par chromatographie en phase gazeuse, des acides gras et des composants phytochimiques a été effectuée, et la composition physicochimique et en micronutriments de l'huile de feuilles et de graines de Duranta repens a été évaluée à l'aide de méthodes classiques. Les huiles de feuilles contiennent des valeurs significativement plus élevées (p < 0,05) de peroxyde, d'iode et d'acide thiobarbiturique, tandis que la valeur de saponification, la densité, le point de fusion et le pH étaient significativement plus élevés dans l'huile de graines. Les huiles de graines contiennent des teneurs en Mg, K, Na et vitamine K plus élevées, tandis que l'huile de feuille contenait des teneurs supérieures en Fe, en vitamine A et en vitamine D. La concentration relative en acides gras était la suivante : palmitique > oléique > myristique > stéarique > caprique > linoléique > laurique > palmitoléique pour l'huile de graines, et linoléique > palmitoléique > oléique > sté arique > palmitique > myristique > caprique > laurique > myristoléique pour l'huile foliaire. Les principaux ...

Indigenous Nigerian spices consist of parts of trees, shrubs and grass which abound in the tropical rain forest and savannah grassland zones. They are used principally to spice foods and drinks and as medication for various ailments.

No abstract

Abstract. This study was carried out to assess the levels of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and antioxidants present in pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis), catfish (Clarias anguillarus), and African land snail (Archachatina marginata), obtained from Ebubu and Elele-Alimini communities in Rivers State, Nigeria. The heavy metals and PAHs were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and gas chromatography respectively, while the antioxidants were assayed by conventional methods. Soil samples at Ebubu contained significantly higher Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni contents than that of Elele-Alimini. The pumpkin leaf from Elele-Alimini contained higher Pb, Zn, Cd, and Fe levels. Cr was undetected in the snails from both locations, while Cd and Ni contents of the snails and catfish at both communities were comparable. For the PAHs, the soil samples from Ebubu contained mostly anthracene (93.37 ppm), benzo[k]fluoranthene (74.36 ppm), fluoranthene (72.64 ppm), and acenaphthylene (47.38 ppm), while those from Elele-Alimini contained more of dibenz[a,h]anthracene (38.65 ppm) and naphthalene (20.55 ppm). Pumpkin leaves from Ebubu were mostly composed of naphthalene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and dibenz [a,h]anthracene, which were undetected in pumpkin leaf samples from Elele-Alimini. In the snail and catfish from Ebubu, acenaphthylene and fluoranthene respectively were the most occurring PAHs, whereas pyrene and phenanthrene respectively had the highest occurrences in snails and catfish from Elele-Alimini. Results for the antioxidant enzymes: catalase and superoxide dismutase in both snails and catfish from Elele-Alimini were significantly higher than those from Ebubu whereas samples from Ebubu contained significantly higher glutathione and malondialdehyde levels. The level of toxicants shown in the foods analyzed in this study is suggestive of potentials to pose significant health risks to the populace when consumed.

Aim: To ascertain the effects of boiling and fermentation on the physicochemical properties, fatty acid, mineral and vitamin composition of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) seeds. Study Design: Completely randomized design Place and Duration of Study: Rivers and Anambra states, Nigeria, between February and September, 2018. Methodology: Two portions of 200 grams of HS seeds each were subjected to boiling and fermentation. The three samples were designated HSR, HSB and HSF for raw, boiled and fermented HS seeds respectively. Standard methods were used in determining the physicochemical properties and micronutrient composition, while fatty acid constituents were identified using a gas chromatography. Results: The acid, free fatty acid, peroxidase values and specific gravity were significantly increased (p<0.05), while iodine value was significantly reduced (p<0.05) after boiling and fermentation. Saponification value showed a mixed trend, while refractive index was not significantly (p>0.05) altered. Lauric (5.51–33.79%), palmitic (27.23–30.87%) and myristic (12.69–35.00%) acids were the predominant saturated fatty acids in HSR, HSB and HSF samples respectively. Oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic and arachidonic acids were the unsaturated fatty acids present in the samples. Boiling increased oleic acid level, while fermentation caused a drastic reduction (>90%) in its amount. Linoleic acid level improved up to 43% after fermentation. Magnesium, iron and sodium amounts significantly (p<0.05) reduced after boiling and fermentation, while zinc, calcium and molybdenum levels were significantly (p<0.05) improved after boiling. Na/K ratios for all the samples were greater than 0.60, while Ca/Mg values ranged between 0.82 and 3.46, below the recommended value (1.0). Vitamins B1, B3, B12 and D were significantly reduced (p<0.05) after boiling and fermentation, while fermentation significantly increased (p<0.05) vitamins B2, A, E and K levels. Conclusion: HS seeds were shown to possess good physicochemical properties that can enhance its utility in the industry. Boiling and fermentation maximized the usefulness of HS seeds as quality nutritional plant.