No abstract

The Chemical composition and the effect of heat treatment on seeds of Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) were studied. In the proximate analysis, the moisture (42.63-48.05%) and carbohydrate (35.94-38.35%) values were the highest. The values of the tannins (21.80-25.77%), alkaloids (10.40-10.60%) and saponins (5.92-6.72%) were higher than the other phytochemicals measured. Potassium (9.0 ± 0.005-11.00 ± 0.10 mg/100g), calcium (2.23 ± 0.006-5.88 ± 0.005 mg/100g) and phosphorus, (1.09 ±0.05-2.01 ± 0.5 mg/100g) were the predominant elements present in the seeds. Sodium, magnesium, selenium, zinc and iron were present in appreciable amounts but manganese was not detected. The ascorbic acid and vitamin A contents were (18.79 ± 0.81-25.76 ± 1.51 mg/100 g) and (1.12 ±0.04-1.64 ± 0.01 mg/100g) respectively. The results of this study showed that D. edulis seeds are potential source of essential nutrients to man and animal when properly processed.