Abstract

Okolosi B. N, F. O. Brorhie, Akpan S. W, Ojugho C. Bridget

Results of the analysis of variance showed that the mean squares for agro ecology were highly significant (p≤0.05) for proximate (crude protein, crude fibre, crude lipid and ash) and chemical (acid value, peroxide value, iodine value and saponification value). Total ash, fats, crude fibre, crude protein and total carbohydrate, ranged between 5.1-7.3, 17.28-19.22, 9.0-11.55, 6.24-8.36 and 55.35-9.11, respectively. Chemical analysis revealed that acid value and peroxide value ranged between 1.54-2.40 mgKOH/kg and 3.52-7.02 meq/kg, while saponification and iodine values were between 131.54 mgKOH/g and 146.29 mgKOH/g and 36.9 I2g/100 and 52.2 I2g/100 g respectively. The proximate and the chemical composition values obtained in this study showed that the shea fruit pulp is rich in protein, total carbohydrates crude fibre and chemical values. The proximate and the chemical composition values also indicate that the Nigerian shea fruit pulp has adequate nutrients equivalent to other edible fruits, thus growing of shea butter tree and consumption of its nutritious fruits should be promoted.