NUTRIENT POTENTIAL OF THE SEED AND PEEL OF PERSIAAMERICANA FROM SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA.

Proximate composition, macro mineral and heavy metal of samples were determined using standard methods. Moisture, ash, crude lipid , crude fibre except protein, total carbohydrate and energy content of the seed was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher than the peel on dry weight basis . Potassium ( 136.16mg/ kg ; 67.19mg/ kg ) had the highest concentration in both samples while sodium had the lowest concentration ( 1.24mg/ kg ; 0.32mg/ kg) . Sodium and potassium except calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the seed than in the peel . The K to Na ratio was greater than 1. Copper, iron, manganese except chromium in the seed were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the peel. Comparing the levels of essential heavy metals and non-essential heavy metals in the seed and peel samples to the FAO/WHO maximum permissible values, copper, iron, cadmium, and zinc were found to be lower but manganese, chromium and lead were found to be higher. Our study revealed that P.americana seed is richer in ash, crude lipid, crude fibre than the peel while the peel is richer in crude protein, total carbohydrate and energy than the peel but both are rich in K, Ca, Mg, P,Cu,Fe,Mn,Cr , and zinc but low in Na and Cd . The study scientifically justifies that the seed and peel are possess nutritional potential.