ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to determine the proximate analysis of the nutrient composition of African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) and its benefits to human health. African walnut seed are consumed mostly by individuals as snack or masticatories but not for health benefit or therapy. The proximate analysis was carried out to determine the vitamin A, C and E content of Africa walnut. The result reveals that the seed contain Vitamin A (1283.33±1.18), Vitamin C (14.80±2.43) and Vitamin E (0.22±0.02). Result on Individual Knowledge on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut. Assessment of individual Knowledge on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut shows that Culinary purposes has on the average the highest mean (x̅ = 4.13) i.e. the respondents indicated strong agreement to the question statement; this was followed by commercial purpose and Treatment of gastroenteritis diseases which has a mean of (x̅ = 4.07); the least assessment on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut was Boost sperm quality (x̅ = 3.00) while Relief from malarial attack” Great for hair, Lowers breast cancer risk, Treatment of indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea, and Healthy functioning of the health and normal growth were rejected. Which shows that individual has no knowledge on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut on treatment of the disease. I recommend that people should be enlightened more on the nutritional benefit of the consumption of African walnut and more studies should be focus on its functional properties to ascertain how best these functionalities could be taken advantage of it industrially (composite flour produced from the seed for baking, food supplement process, edible oil produced, formulation of drugs etc).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of contents vi
List of Tables viii
List of Figures ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the
study 1
1.2 Statement
of the problem 3
1.3 Objectives
of the study 3
1.4 Significance
of the study 3
CHAPTER
TWO
LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1 Origin
of African walnut 5
2.2 Global
distribution 7
2.3 Structure
of Walnut 8
2.4 Nutritional
value and composition 9
2.4.1 The
proximate nutrient and composition of African walnut 11
2.4.2 Mineral
analysis of African walnut flour 12
2.5 Anti-nutritional
constituents in African walnut 13
2.6 Functional
properties of African walnut 15
2.6.1 Water
absorption capacity (WAC) 15
2.6.2 Emulsion
capacity 16
2.6.3 Foam
capacity 16
2.6.4 Gelling
capacity 17
2.6.5 Oil
absorption capacity 18
2.7 Health
benefit of African walnut 18
2.8 Uses
of African walnut 25
2.9 Preparing
walnuts 25
2.10 Utilization
of walnut 26
2.11 Processing
of walnut 29
CHAPTER
THREE
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
3.1 Material
procurement 31
3.2 Area
of study 31
3.3 Research
design 31
3.4 Preparation
of samples 31
3.5 Analytical
methods 33
3.5.1 Proximate
analysis 33
3.5.2 Mineral
composition 37
3.5.3 Determination
of vitamin 37
3.6 Assessment
on the medicinal properties 38
3.7 Statistical
analysis 38
CHAPTER
FOUR
RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Results 39
4.2 Discussion 43
CHAPTER
FIVE
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 46
5.2 Recommendation 47
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Proximate composition of African walnut 11
Table 2: Some mineral elements contained in
African walnut 12
Table 3: Some anti-nutritional constituents of
Conophor flours 14
Table 4: Functional properties of raw and
processed Conophor flour 17
Table 4.1.1: Proximate composition of samples of the seed of
Tetracarpidum conophorum 39
Table 4.1.2: Vitamin composition of seeds of Tetracarpidumconophorum 40
Table 4.1.3: The mineral composition of samples of Tetracarpidum
Conophorum 40
Table 4.1.4: Assessment on the medicinal properties of
African walnut 41
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 1: Flow
chart showing the processing of the sample
(African
walnut) 32
Fig 2: Assessment
of Individual Knowledge on the Medicinal
Properties
of African Walnut 42
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO
THE STUDY
African walnut is one of
the staple fruity snacks enjoyed by people in my community (Nsirimo Umuahia
South), both young and old. Although, it’s nutritional value are not fully
known. Curiosity over this great fruit
which prompted to start bombarding them
with several questions on why this fruit and other parts of the plant are
actually important, the explanation gave me little impressive reasons on the
importance of this fruit.it is equally observed that the selling rate is
high.
African walnut is a
climber plant that is found in Nigeria, especially Nsirimo in Umuahia South.
African walnut is botanically called Plukenetia
conophora or Tetracarpidum conophorum
and from the family of Euphorbiaceae.
It is a large wrinkled edible seed of a deciduous tree, consisting of two
halves contained within a hard shell which is enclosed in a green fruit with
compound leaves. In Nigeria, it is called Asala or Awusa in Yoruba, Ukpa in Ibo
and Okhue or Okwe in Edo, Akpabuyo in Uyo.
African walnut both the
nut and leaves are consumed in Umuahia mostly by the adult. A bitter taste is
usually observed upon drinking water immediately after eating the nuts. Walnuts
are edible even when raw and give a bitter taste and a stimulating effect like
kola. They can be cooked, roasted or sundried and the roasted seeds could be
ground like melon seeds and used as a thickener in soup preparation. The plant
is known in Africa especially in Eastern and Western parts of Nigeria for its
antibacterial efficacy.
In traditional society,
the cultural belief is the bitterness of African walnut could be attributed to
the presence of chemical substances such as alkaloid (Ayodele, 2003). The
people used the bark for tea and chewed for toothache. It helps to prevent and
control high blood pressure, the nut is
generally eaten in Nigeria. Sizes of the nut are often determined by the
climatic conditions. African walnuts are best classified as masticatory that is
something that gives pleasure or satisfaction after chewing. More examples of
masticatories are various kola species e.g. Mmimi (Dennetra tripetala), Oji (Cola
acuminate), Oji awusa (Cola nilida),
(Mmeregini, 2005). African walnuts have a variety of uses both domestically and
industrially.
According to Nnawugwu
(2004), walnut oil can be used in making and preparing of ice cream and
mayonnaise. Walnut has been inferred to be medicinal, therapeutic and
stimulating in nature due to its high consistent of anthraquinone, tannis,
saponins and alkaloid.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum), a black
shelled nut, is a nut crather to consume
the seed as snacks or masticatories which are consumed in low quantity because
of its high cost of purchase, most people derive pleasure in the consumption of
these nut but do not really know the health benefit and nutritional content of
the seed. Due to numerous fallacies on the consumption of the walnut, hence the
study to ascertain the proximate nutrient composition of African Walnut.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF
THE STUDY
The main objective of
this study is to determine the proximate and nutrient composition of African
Walnut, specifically the study will:
1. determine the proximate composition
of African walnut
2. determine vitamin A,C and E
3. determine the mineral composition of
African Walnut
4. Assessment of individuals knowledge
on the medicinal properties of African Walnut.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF
STUDY
African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) being a
Conophor plant is a tropical rambling, perennial climber tree. The seed or
endocarps are woody and hard. Somewhat cool climates allow it to grow well.
African walnut are grown around our home and therefore could form part of the
menu list and serve as a snack or part of
meal. Walnuts are common and are inexpensive especially in Ibo Eastern
part of Nigeria and so contributes to local food commodity which serves both
industrial and domestic purposes.
Tetracarpidium conophorum are mostly in season from July-September. Every part
of this African walnut are of economic use, the fruit could become trading
commodity for those who want to make it their choice of trading, the leave
could be used as vegetable in preparing soup and the tree could be used as
firewood when dry, Therefore, it has utility value .if all the functional
properties are extensively analysed and its curative measures are ascertained
,it could also serve as a nut for healthy living.
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