In-vitro compositional investigations of antioxidants, phytochemicals, nutritional and minerals in the fruit of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth

Abstract

The health problems in the third world and the attendant complications resulting into death of many people mostly caused by cancer, hypertension and other heart disorders primarily because of the inability to afford adequate health conditions and maintain balanced nutrition status has called for alternative means of attaining the required global Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) status on health and also to prevent mortality among all ages. This study therefore aimed at investigating the natural antioxidants, phytochemicals, proximate and mineral elements composition in fruit of Kigelia africana popularly known as the sausage tree as an indication for utilization in pharmaceutical for human and animals’ feed benefits. The results obtained for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic content, total flavonoid, Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), phytochemical constituents, proximate and mineral elements compositions of the fruits revealed high percentage of  antioxidant potentials, presence of medicinal important phytochemicals, good quantity of nutritional and medicinally important mineral elements. However, from the results of the study, the fruit of Kigelia africana can be exploited for medicine to heal many diseases and food additives in animals’ feed.