Proximate, mineral, amino acid, fatty acid, vitamin E, phytate phosphate and fibre composition of Mimusops zeyheri (Red Milkwood) seed

Mimusops zeyheri, an indigenous tree widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, provides edible fruit. Research on the tree has focused on fruit pulp composition and uses. This study evaluated the nutritional potential of M. zeyheri seed by determining the proximate, fibre and phytate-phosphate content, the amino acid and fatty acid profiles and vitamin E content of the seed. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash constituted 91.1%, 88.3%, 9.3%, 25.6% and 2.8% of the seed mass respectively. Glutamic acid (1.29g per 100g) was the most abundant amino acid. Lysine and phenylalanine were low. Calcium (587.4mg per 100g) was the most concentrated macro-mineral assayed. Gross energy value was 24.34MJkg-1. Lipid yield was 21.3%. Oleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid. Vitamin E concentration was about 2μgg-1. Phytate-phosphate content was 0.03%. Neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre constituted 33.2% and 15.3% respectively. M. zeyheri seed could be exploited as a dietary energy supplement and an oil source rich in oleic acid. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Food Science and Technology.