Proximate, Mineral and Antinutrient Composition of Avocado (Persea Americana) Seeds and Peels

Abstract

The proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient analysis of Avocado (Persea americana) peel and seed were determined. The proximate composition, mineral and the anti-nutrients were determined by
the AOAC (2005). The results showed that the Avocado peel is high in carbohydrates (76.21±0.03), Crude fibre (9.19±0.01), Crude protein (6.46±0.03), Ash content (5.10±0.00), Lipids (3.04±0.01), Moisture content (1.96±0.00). The Mineral content read: Potassium (1.25±0.01), Sodium (0.45±0.00), Iron (0.13±0.00), Magnesium (0.11±0.01), and Calcium (0.06±0.00). The Antinutrient was as follows: Phytate (50.63±0.01), Oxalate (1.45±0.001), Tannin (0.48±0.01) and Saponin (0.26±0.01). The seed were found to contain 77.41±0.05% of carbohydrate, crude lipid (9.15±0.00%), moisture (11.39± 0.30%), Ash content was found to be 5.77±0.57%, crude fiber (1.81±0.00) and protein (3.86±0.02). The seed also contains minerals in appreciable concentrations: Calcium (0.05±0.00), iron (0.22±0.00), magnesium (0.10±0.00), potassium (0.69±0.01), and sodium (0.29±0.00). Antinutrients were also present in low amounts. The seed presented total oxalate (3.65±0.01), Saponin (0.54±0.01), Tannin (6.53±0.01) and Phytate (8.76±0.01). From these results the Avocado seed and peel are thus be considered as a good source of carbohydrate and minerals with high nutritional value.