Preliminary Screening of Nutraceutical Potential of Fruit Pulp, Peel and Seeds from Annona Squamosa (L.) and Annona Muricata (L.) Growing in Coast Region of Kenya

An evaluation of nutraceutical potential of fruit pulp, peel and seeds from Annona Squamosa (L.) and Annona Muricata (L.) was conducted. Ripe fresh fruits were collected from farms in Kilifi and Kwale Counties; Coast province of Kenya. They were air dried, powdered and then subjected to extraction with solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) for 48 hours, filtered and dried. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and Proximate and nutritional composition analysis was performed using methods of Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Experimental results were expressed as mean from parallel measurements analyzed using mean separation through Fischer least significance difference by GenStat program. Comparisons were done by means of unpaired Student’s t-test and significance difference established by ANOVA at 95% confidence level. Differences of P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The study revealed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and saponins in hexane, ethyl acetate, Methanolic and aqueous extracts. High amount of dry matter (97.59±0.15mg/100g), WWB moisture content (82.38±1.61mg/100g), DWB moisture content (6.91±0.42mg/100g), crude fat (19.04±4.63mg/100g), crude proteins (44.01±6.93mg/100g), crude fibre (50.03±1.81mg/100g), total carbohydrates (38.24±2.18mg/100g) and oil content (48.57±2.07mg/100g) were detected. Appreciable values of reducing sugar (7.70±0.12mg/100g), TSS (19.67±1.47mg/100g), ascorbic acid (37.24±1.77mg/100g), tocopherol (29.66±1.07mg/100g), TBA (0.78±0.05mg/100g) and ash content (8.93±0.69mg/100g) were observed. Reasonable amounts of potassium (354.58±2.17mg/100g), sodium (843.38±16.25mg/100g), Calcium (857.16±6.39 mg/100g), Magnesium (395.54±4.58mg/100g) and Phosphorous (146.30±4.02 mg/100g) were detected whereas trace amounts of Copper (1.00±0.03mg/100g), Iron (3.58±0.12mg/100g), Zinc (0.46±0.04mg/100g) and Selenium (1.51±0.03mg/100g) were detected. Fatty acid profile showed presence of saturated fatty acids (SFA); Caprylic (C8:0), Capric (C10:0) (C12:0), Myristic (C14:0), Lauric Palmitic (C16:0) and Stearic (C18:0), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA); Oleic (C18:1) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); Linoleic (C18:2) and Linolenic (C18:3). The study concludes that the fruit pulp, peel and seeds from A. Squamosa and A. Muricata has potential to be utilized in nutraceutical industries.