Evaluation of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of<i>Cordia myxa</i>Fruit Pulp

Abstract

Proximate, mineral, and phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of solvent extracts of mature green and ripened fruit pulp of Cordia myxa were determined. The fruit pulp was high in protein and low in fat; nitrogen, potassium, and calcium were the major minerals present. The higher amounts of phenols and flavonoids in the methanol extracts related well with the stronger antioxidant activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, total antioxidant activity and reducing power assays. The presence of phytic acid and tannins (anti-nutritional factors) in negligible quantities made C. myxa fruits safe for human consumption.