Proximate Analysis of Polyalthia Longifolia Seeds

Folashade O. Oyedeji, Babatunde B. Adeleke, Christiana B. Olalude

Proximate analysis of seeds of Polyalthia longifolia was carried out using gravimetric, volumetric and atomic absorption spectrometry.  The analysis revealed that percentage moisture, crude oil, crude protein, crude fiber and total carbohydrate were 5.0, 7.5, 14.0, 7.3 and 65.3g/100g of sample respectively. The mineral content as determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) were potassium (269.37), magnesium (23.80), calcium (16.02), iron (12.19), sodium (6.03), manganese (4.86), copper (3.11), zinc (1.79), nickel (0.47), cobalt (0.18), lead (0.07) and chromium (0.05) µg/g of sample. The results showed that the seed cake could be a rich source of macro and micro nutrients. It implied that the seed could be used in the pharmaceutical and food industries for production of dietary supplements. The oil could be useful in the cosmetic industries for the production of a wide variety of cosmetics products.