NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF MANGO (MANGNIFERA INDICA) SEED KERNEL FROM NIGERIA

Abstract

Mango (Magnifera indica) seed kernel from Nigeria were analyzed for proximate composition, inorganic ions, amino acid composition, tannin and fatty acid composition. Mango seed kernel had 44.4% moisture content, 6.0% protein, 12.8% fat, 32.8% carbohydrate, 2.0% crude fiber, 2.0% ash and 0.39% tannin. Mango kernel fat contained high amounts of stearic (46.3%) and oleic (40.0%), while palmitic, linoleic, arachidonic and behenic acids were present in small quantities (<6.6%). Of the inorganic ions detected, potassium (365 mg/100 g), phosphorus (140 mg/100 g), magnesium (100 mg/100 g) and calcium (49 mg/100 g) were present in high levels, while iron, sodium, manganese and zinc were present in small levels (< 11.0 mg/100 g). The mango seed kernel is potentially a good source of nutrients for human and animal feed.