Vitamin and mineral composition of the kernel of shea nuts (Vitelaria Paradoxa) from high-growing trees in the Tchôlogo region (Côte d'Ivoire)

The study was carried out to determine the vitamin and mineral composition of shea nut kernels from high-producer trees in the Tchôlogo region, with a view to proposing appropriate ways of adding value. Eight composite nut samples were analysed. These were: large ellipsoid tchologo (LELT); large spheroid tchologo (LSPT); large oblong tchologo (LOBT); large ovoid tchologo (LOVT); thin ovoid tchologo (MOVT); thin spheroid tchologo (MSPT); thin ellipsoid tchologo (MELT); thin oblong tchologo (MOBT). The work consisted of determining the content of vitamin B, vitamin C, β-carotene and minerals in shea nut kernels. The results showed that the chromatographic profile of water-soluble vitamins revealed 7 vitamins in shea kernels: vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and vitamin C. The LELT sample was the richest in vitamin C, B12 and B2. On the other hand, the MSPT sample had the highest levels of vitamins B1 and B3. Finally, the highest vitamin B5 and B6 contents were recorded in the LOBT and LOVT samples respectively. The chromatographic profile of minerals revealed three main macro-elements in the kernels of the 8 shea samples: magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). This profile also revealed 14 microelements in the shea kernels. The Large Oblong Tchologo (LOBT) and Thin Ovoid Tchologo (MOVT) samples gave the highest P contents. As for the LOBT, LSPT, MOBT and MSPT samples, they gave the highest K content. In view of all these results, almonds from the LOBT and MOVT samples, thanks to their high phosphorus and potassium content, can be an additive in the diet of children suffering from deficiencies in these two minerals.