Proximate and Selected Mineral Elements Analysis of Nigerian Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd Edible Fruit Pulp

Abstract

Ziziphus spina found in the tropical regions of the world is a small tree capable of resisting heat and drought. The edible portion of the fruit is widely preserved as feed for human and animal especially in drought and famine ravaged nations of the world. The edible fruit of Z. spina were procured from a local market in Gusau, Zanfara State North-Western Nigeria in October 2019. They were prepared for proximate and mineral analyses using standard analytical methods. The results showed the percentage (%) moisture, ash, crude lipid, crude protein, crude fibre and total carbohydrate contentas3.13, 15.22, 3.11, 11.12, 6.45 and 64.10 respectively while the calorific values was reported to be 328.87kcal/100g.The elemental analyses revealed that potassium and copper were the most and least abundant element with concentrations of 256.12 and 2.37 mg/100 g dry weight respectively. The findings from this study reveal that Z.spina fruit contains important mineral elements that would possibly improve on the proper metabolic activity and therefore could improve on the health standard if properly utilized.