EVALUATING THE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS PROFILE OF SOME LESSER KNOWN EDIBLE FRUITS

Fruit samples of Solanum trilobatum (L.), Mukia maderaspatana (Linn) M.Roem, Murraya koengii (L.)Spreng, Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.)Benth were analyzed with view to evaluating their level of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and anti nutrients. The nutrients compositions of the fruits showed that the amount of carbohydrate ranged between 3.00 and 35.00 g/100g; Protein, 1.25 – 7.23g/100g; Moisture, 71.56 – 81.6 %; ash, 12.5 -19 %; fiber, 3.3 -7.41 g/100g. Concentration of sodium, phosphorous, calcium and iron were highest in M. maderaspatana fruits; S.trilobatum fruits contain highest amount of magnesium while calcium content was highest in Murraya koengii. Highest amount of potassium were present in P.dulce fruits. Highest amount of vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 were present in Pithecellobium dulce fruits. Vitamin C was ranged between 0.01 – 0.63mg/100g. The results of anti nutrients factor showed that the phenol content ranged between 0.35 – 1.3 g/100g.Tannins ranged from 0.27 - 1.20 g/100g. The fruits with low level of anti nutrients, high elemental composition, protein, carbohydrates and vitamins could serve as supplementary sources of essential nutrient to man and livestock. The selected lesser know edible fruits are recommended for commercial-scale production for the pharmaceutical industry to overcome medicinal crises as they are potential medicinal sources and its contain moderate nutrient profiles. Keywords: Lesser known edible fruits, nutrients, minerals, vitamins, anti nutrients.