Biochemical Analysis of Lannea microcarpa Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiaceae) Seed and Seed Oil

Lannea microcarpa called also African grape is a fruit species known to the entire population but very little valued for the nutritional richness of its seeds. This study aims to conduct a biochemical characterization of L. microcarpa seeds and seed oil. Samples were collected from South Central Burkina Faso. Phytochemical screening was carried out using AOAC official method and biochemical analysis of the seeds and seed oil was performed using LC-MS/MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical assay for both methanolic and n-hexane extracts of the seed oil. The phytochemical screening revealed that the seeds contain alkaloids, polyphenols, saponins, tannins, and triterpene sterols. The physicochemical parameters showed moisture values of 2.54%, ash (2.84 ± 0.00%), crude fat (60.95 ± 1.24%), acid number (5.24 ±0.00 mg KOH/g), oleic acid (2.62 ± 0.19%), carbohydrate (15.11 ± 0.04%) and crude protein (18.55 ± 0.35%). The content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (55.64%) exceeds the quantity of saturated fatty acids. The seeds contain approximately 6% essential amino acids, with leucine being the most abundant at a concentration of 12,532.01 ± 0.08 mg/kg. The seeds have five main minerals and 17 trace elements, with phosphorus being the most prevalent (36.40%). The ratio of phosphocalcic (Ca/P) was less by 0.3 compared to the suggested values of 1.5 and 2 for animal nutrition. The Ca/Mg ratio (0.7) was nearly at the recommended value of 1. The Na/K ratio (0.4) was within the limit of 1 not being exceeded. The seed exhibits significant antioxidant activity, with the methanol extract (220 ± 25 μg/mL) showing a higher effect than the n-hexane extract (1001.4 ± 42 μg/mL). The composition of the seed and its oil could have potential nutritional and medicinal benefits.