Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits sold in major markets of Minna Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the nutritional, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties, mineral and amino acid contents of Phoenix dactylifera L. fruits using standard analytical methods. The results revealed that date palm (P. dactylifera L.) contain some percentage  crude protein (1.21 ± 0.02%), crude fat (1.73 ± 0.46%), crude fibre (2.26 ± 0.07%), ash (1.88± 0.03%), moisture contents (1.16± 0.16%), carbohydrate (91.76± 0.06%),and calorific values (1621.50± 0.12 kg/100 g) respectively. The anti-nutrient composition for oxalate, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, cyanide, and flavonoids were 7.57 ± 0.04, 5.25 ± 0.04, 1.89 ± 0.12, 5.20 ± 0.46, 0.80 ± 0.01 and 34.29 ± 3.49% respectively; these result indicated that the sample is free of toxic substance which might cause harm to the body. The non-essential amino acids which give rise to about 62% make the plant more desirable since non-essential amino acid play important role in the body structure of a human. Though, both essential and non-essential amino acid present were there to complement each other. The elemental analysis of the fruit in mg/kg indicated that the fruit contained appreciable levels of K (11105 mg/kg), Na (913 mg/kg), Mg (799 mg/kg) and P (793 mg/kg). This showed that the fruit can serve as good source of minerals.   Key words: Nutritional, anti-nutritional, functional, mineral composition.