Lipid profile and levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids present in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Lam. (Moraceae) seeds and variation in different treatments

Abstract

The intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids especially omega-3 is projected to be way below the recommended intake in Kenya. Thus, there is need to find other sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study screened for the lipid profile and levels of omega-3 PUFAs in jackfruit and explored the variation in lipid profile of jackfruit seeds in different areas and treatments. The extracted lipids were characterized and analysis done using gas chromatography. The lipid content was found to be 0.45 ± 0.24%, iodine number was 60.76 ± 3.25, saponification number was 353.65 ± 14.21, and levels of omega-3 and of omega-6 PUFAs were also found to be 9.94 ± 0.99% and 31.19 ± 0.82%, respectively. Boiling and drying of seeds were found to greatly decrease the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids such omega-3 and omega-6 and thus, not suitable methods for processing or preservation of jackfruit seeds.

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Leaves, Roots and Bark of Jackfruit (Artocapus heterophyllus) from Selected Regions in Kenya and Uganda

“…The knowledge of the phytochemical composition, will facilitate in the identification of the part of Jackfruit tree that is most suitable for harvesting of phytochemical compounds. The study will also encourage the cultivation and use of the plant in Kenya, where it is underutilised [9].…”

“…It is considered the largest fruit in the world with weight of up to 50 kg [5]. Jackfruit has been listed as an underutilised plant and is usually considered to be for people from lower social class in Asia, where it is dominant [9,10,11]. Parts of the tree such as the roots, bark and leaves have been found to have a number of medicinal properties [12,13].…”

Compositional, Elemental, Phytochemical and Antioxidant Characterization of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Pulps and Seeds from Selected Regions in Kenya and Uganda

“…The consumption of the plant is low in Kenya and its cultivation, is mostly done in small scale. In Uganda the consumption of Jackfruit is moderately high, however limited studies have been done on characterization of the plants from that region [12]. Studies from other regions, have shown that Jackfruit pulps and seeds contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and minerals [11,12,13].…”

“…In Uganda the consumption of Jackfruit is moderately high, however limited studies have been done on characterization of the plants from that region [12]. Studies from other regions, have shown that Jackfruit pulps and seeds contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and minerals [11,12,13]. Studies on characterization of Jackfruits in Kenya and Uganda, have been done on the seed lipid profile and phytochemical analysis of the bark, leaves and roots [12,14].…”

“…Studies from other regions, have shown that Jackfruit pulps and seeds contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and minerals [11,12,13]. Studies on characterization of Jackfruits in Kenya and Uganda, have been done on the seed lipid profile and phytochemical analysis of the bark, leaves and roots [12,14]. There is however, no attempt that has been made so far, to study the nutritional profile, mineral composition, phytochemical and antioxidant activities of the seeds and pulps from these regions.…”