Proximate Composition, Macro-Mineral Concentration and Phytochemical Screening of Seeds of Citrullus Lonatus

The research was aimed at determining the nutritional value and accessing the nutraceutical potential of locally processed tropical seed of Citrillus lonatus.Proximate composition, macro-mineral concentrations and phytochemical screening of seeds of Citrullus lonatus were conducted on dry weight basis using standard methods. Phytochemical screening revealed that tannin had the highest value (6.45±0.006 ) followed by flavonoid (3.37±0.047 ) . Alkaloid was appreciable in value (1.35±0.006) while HCN and phytate were low in value. Moisture content was 14.77±0.013% and dry matter was 85.21±0.01%. Crude fat presented the highest value, 28.48±0.013% followed by crude protein (24.78±0.006%), total carbohydrate (18.44±0.006%), crude fiber (11.27±0.01%) and ash had the lowest value of 2.24±0.021%. The calorific value was high at 429.47±0.295 Kcal/100g sample. The concentrations of the analytes from the highest value to the lowest value in the sample was in the order potassium (457.60±0.670mg/kg), Magnesium(89.45±0.006mg/kg), Calcium (42.87±0.125mg/kg) and Sodium (38.26±0.008mg/kg) respectively .The potassium to sodium ratio was 12 ( > 1) while the sodium to potassium ratio was 0.08(< 1). The results in this study showed that Citrullus lonatus seeds are rich in crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, potassium, magnesium,calcium,sodium, tannin, alkaloid and flavonoid. They may therefore serve as good sources of food nutrients and nutraceuticals to be utilized in the production of food and feed supplements