The Effect of Processing Time on the Proximate and Phytochemical Composition of Detarium microcarpum (OFOR) Seeds

Abstract

Detarium microcarpum (ofor) seeds were analyzed to ascertain the effect of soaking and boiling time on its proximate and phytochemical compositions, using standard methods of AOAC (2005) and methods described by Okwu (2005) for its phytochemical determination. Results indicated remarkable influence of the two treatments on the proximate and phytochemical compositions of the seeds. The moisture content of the seeds showed significant difference (P<0.05) between the soaking and boiling time intervals, it increases as the treatment time increases, with values ranging from 9.10±0.05 – 10.75±0.20%. The ash, fibre, fat and protein content decreases as treatment time increases at 0.05 level of significance with the control. The phytochemical analysis showed presence of alkaloid, tannin and flavonoid, with saponin and cardiac glycoside absent. There are significant differences (P<0.05) between the phytochemical compositions at difference time interval of the treatment methods. From the result, boiling and soaking at short time frame will help conserve the nutrients and bioactive compounds and thus be recommended.