Comparative Nutritional Assessment and Antioxidant Efficacy of Tamarindus indica L. Fruit Pulp and Seed
Monday Ogacheko Abubakar1*, Ali Agaka Aremu1, Joseph Isah Ruth1, Saidu Adamu1
Abstract
Tamarindus indica L. is a tropical fruit with underexplored differences in bioactivity between its pulp and seed. This study compares the proximate composition, mineral content, amino acid profile, and antioxidant activity of T. indica pulp and seed extracts. Proximate analysis followed AOAC (2015) methods. Mineral content was quantified via flame photometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Amino acids were analyzed using Technicon Sequential Multi-Sample Analyzer (TSM). Antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH assay. Results: Seeds exhibited higher carbohydrate (91.44% vs. 68.45%) and energy content (4030.10 vs. 2100.5 kJ/100g), while pulp was richer in crude fiber (5.00% vs. 0.62%) and vitamin C (43.90 vs. 39.70 mg/100g). Potassium (289.5 mg/100g) and magnesium (58.22 mg/100g) were predominant in seeds. Seventeen amino acids were identified, with seeds showing higher phenylalanine (4.95 g/100g) and leucine (5.01 g/100g). DPPH assays revealed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with pulp IC50 = 54.70 µg/mL and seed IC50 = 68.21 µg/mL. T. indica seeds are a superior energy source, while pulp offers higher fiber and antioxidants, supporting their dual use in functional foods.
Keywords:
Tamarindus indica, proximate analysis, mineral content, amino acids, DPPH assay, nutraceuticals
