Nutrients, Phytochemicals and Anti-nutritional compositions of yellow monkey kola

Monkey kola is one of the underutilized tropical fruits found in Central and West African forests. In Nigeria, it is found in the South between the months of June and November. The aim of this study is to determine the nutrients, anti-nutrients and phytochemical composition of yellow monkey kola. Mature yellow monkey kola fruits purchased from Ogbete market Enugu State, Nigeria were analysed chemically to determine the nutrients, phytochemicals and anti-nutrients compositions using standard methods. The result showed that yellow monkey kola fruit pulp (endocarp) has values for crude protein (3.68%), ash (0.99%), moisture (90.55%), crude fibre (1.40%), fat (2.75%), carbohydrate (6.06%), potassium (358.50 mg/100g), iron (0.54 mg/100g), zinc (0.20 mg/100g), calcium (56.45 mg/100g), magnesium (33.67 mg/100g), vitamin A (55.48 IU), vitamin B1 (0.07 mg/100g), vitamin B3 (0.16 mg/100g) and Vitamin C (0.26 mg/100g). The results of phytochemical determination revealed that the yellow monkey kola contained saponin (3.07 mg/100g), alkaloid (1.99 mg/100g), tannin (16.57 mg/100g), flavonoid (6.37 mg/100g) and no value for phenol. The anti-nutrients content of yellow monkey kola were oxalate (7.90 mg/100g) and phytate (12.17 mg/100g). There is need to preserve, conserve and promote cultivation and utilization of monkey kola because of its rich nutrient content. Keywords: Monkey kola, antinutrients, nutrients, phytochemicals, Fruits