Nutritional and Phytochemical Screening of Raw and Boiled Hypocotyls of African Fan Palm (Borassus aethiopum)

The proximate analysis, phytochemical screening and mineral properties of palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum) were evaluated on the dried powder of the raw and boiled hypocotyl. The results obtained showed that the moisture, ash, fat/lipid content, crude fibre, protein and carbohydrates of the hypocotyl had values at (7.17, 3.00, 3.35, 2.63, 11.25, 72.60 and 9.33, 2.67, 2.80, 4.03, 10.00 and 72.57) %.  The Phytochemical analysis performed were Alkaloids (76.00 and 43.47) %, cyanogenic derivative (78.84% and 48.60%), tannins (19.97 and 19.96)%, and Phytate (1.19 and 0.07). The mineral composition; potassium, calcium, zinc and iron was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with values 633.70 and 452.27 mg/100 g, 148.65 and 120.78 mg/100g, 1.36 and 2.13 mg/100 g, 2.05 and 3.24 mg/100 g respectively.  Furthermore, the result of the t-test analysis carried out showed that there is a significant difference between the raw and boiled sample of Palmyra palm. The quantitative phytochemical analysis of the Borassus aethiopum hypocotyls revealed a good percentage of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, Saponin, flavonoids, steroids, cyanogenic derivatives, tannins and phytate and hence can be used in pharmaceutical and medical science to produce drugs and supplements that can prevent diseases.