Open AccessEvaluation of the Phytochemicals, Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Compositions of Fresh, Sprouted and Toasted Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Extracts
Author(s) -
T. O. Bamidele,
Haruna G. Sunday,
Mathew Auta,
Jesse Ombugadu,
Abdullahi Maryam
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asian journal of biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2582-3698
DOI - 10.9734/ajbgmb/2021/v7i330174
Subject(s) - citrullus lanatus , food science , glycoside , chemistry , proximate , botany , biology , organic chemistry
The current study evaluated the Phytochemicals Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Compositions of Fresh, Sprouted and Toasted Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) Seed extracts. The phytochemicals, proximate, amino acids, microminerals and antinutrients compositions were determined following standard laboratory procedures in autoanalizer machines. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by LSD and Duncan test for levels of significance. Results revealed the presence of Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Terpenoids in the three samples but anthroquinones was absent in sprouted and toasted watermelon seeds. Saponins (2.15 ± 0.07 mg/100 g), Tannins (40.63 ± 0.13 mg/100 g) Cyanogenic glycosides (3.55 ± 0.35 mg/100 g). There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the concentrations of the phytochemicals in all the samples except for cyanogenic glycosides which was significantly (P 0.05) difference in the three samples and Phytates (0.31 ± 0.01%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fresh sample while oxalates (0.85 ± 0.01%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the sprouted sample. The fresh, sprouted and toasted watermelon seeds may possess nutritional and health benefit by the virtue of their richness in phytochmicals, microminerals and amino acids, however the safety of the fresh sample is not guaranteed due to its high concentration of anti-nutrients.