PROXIMATE AND ANTINUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS OF AVOCADO PEAR (PERSEA AMERICANA) PULP AND LEAVES

The use of plant resources have gained much attention globally in the management of family finances especially during economic crisis. Avocado pulp and leaves are nutrient-rich, plant based diets that can be beneficial as they are believed to possess various nutritional and therapeutic values. The study analysed the proximate and antinutrient compositions of avocado pulp and leaves. Specifically, the study determined the proximate content (crude protein, moisture, crude fibre, ash, carbohydrate) of avocado pulp and leaves and antinutrient constituents (alkaloid, saponin, tannin) content of the samples. Samples were collected from Akpa-Edem in Nsukka Enugu state. The raw materials were sorted to remove debris and defects, washed, peeled, sliced and cut, removed seeds, and to obtain the edible portion, mesocarp (pulp). leaves of avocado plant were carefully detached from the plant stem, sorted, washed, air dried, ground to fine flour using disk attrition mill. The ground samples were stored in airtight bottles for further analysis. The proximate and antinutrient compositions were investigated on the samples using Association of Official Analytical Chemists. (AOAC) standard methods. All data were expressed as mean ± SD . Proximate analysis results showed that protein content of pulp was higher (5.37%) than the leaves (4.90%). Ash content of the leaves were higher (1.33%) than the pulp (1.04%). The concentration of crude fiber in leaves were higher (5.71%) than the pulp (1.07). The akaloid content in pear pulp was 1.80 mg and leaves (2.59 mg). The saponin content of the leaves were higher (2.82 mg) than the pear pulp (1.20 mg). The tannin content of the leaves were higher (4.87mg) than the pulp (7.73 mg/100g).The result showed that these samples contain appreciable quantities of some nutrients.The anti-nutritional factors were below the recommended safe limit of alkaloid (25 200mg/100g, saponin (20 – 100mg/100g) and tannin (50 – 100mg/100g). In conclusion, avocado pulp and leaves should be used in food and drug industries for production of various foods and drugs.