THE NUTRACEUTICAL POTENTIALS AND TOXICANT CAPACITY OF THE WHITE SHELL OF COMMON COLA NUT (COLA NITIDA)

The Proximate minerals, vitamins and toxicants capacity of the white shell of common cola nuts (cola nitida) were investigated. The aim of this research is to assess the possible nutritional benefits and risk associated with the possible utilisation of the unutilised portion of the crop and thereby establishing the possibility of its involvement in economic enhancing and sustainability. The results obtained reveals, the presence of all the proximate components (moisture, 75.67%; Ash; 4.99%, Ether extract: 3.24%, crude protein: 7.00%, Crude fibre: 1.66%, Carbohydrate 83.12% and Caloric value: 389.62%). The minerals show an increasing order of Zn (3.05) < Cu (3.15) < Mn (7.38) < Na (12.22) < Fe (43.34) < Mg (182.87) < P (238.00) < Ca (271.82) < K (401.82) mg/100g. Vitamins A and C (0.099) and (65.95) mg/100g respectively. While the toxicant levels show HCN (11.56) < Tannins (30.84) < Oxalate (130.00) mg/ 100g. Phytate was not detected in the sample. Based on the obtained information, this sample can be considered as highly nutritious with low risk profile and may be considered in feedstuff formula after appropriate processing.