Vitamin Analysis, Trace Elements Content, and Their Extractabilities in Tetrapleura tetraptera
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Date
2020-01-11
Authors
Mensah, R.Q.
Oteng, P.
Otchere, J.K.
Adusei, S.
Tei-Mensah, E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi Journal of Chemistry
Abstract
Tetrapleura tetraptera is widely cherished in African traditional homes because of its alleged therapeutic and nutritional
properties. +is present study aimed at determining the levels of vitamin A, C, E, and beta-carotene and trace element (Fe, Cu, Mn,
Co, Se, and Zn) concentrations and their extractabilities in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit (mixture of pulp and seeds) of T.
tetraptera. +e total trace element concentration of Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn and their extractabilities (%) were determined using
flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS), whereas UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to determine selenium concentration.
+e trace element content (mg/kg) based on dry weight in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit was Fe (162.00 ± 7.14,
115.00 ± 12.00, and 154.00 ± 25.20, respectively), Zn (31.60 ± 4.77, 43.40 ± 5.29, and 41.50 ± 8.97, respectively), Cu (16.10 ± 4.98,
11.90 ± 8.40, and 17.20 ± 14.50, respectively), Mn (55.30 ± 2.41, 156.00 ± 10.20, and 122.00 ± 5.29, respectively), Co (38.10 ± 6.40,
21.10 ± 7.15, and 44.00 ± 14.90, respectively), and Se (1.49 ± 0.17, 2.43 ± 0.28, and 2.97 ± 0.27 μg/g, respectively). +e mineral
extractabilities (%) in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit of T. tetraptera were established to be in the order
Co > Zn > Fe > Cu > Se > Mn. Also, the chromatographic method (HPLC) was used to evaluate vitamin E concentration, and
vitamin C and concentration of beta-carotene were calculated from the obtained concentration of vitamin A using a conversion
factor by the titrimetric method. From the results of vitamin analysis, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed among the
pulp, seeds, and whole fruit for vitamin C and E. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was perceived among these plant
parts for vitamin A and beta-carotene. +is study has therefore revealed that the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit of T. tetraptera
contain varying concentrations of vitamins and trace elements and has given many vital insights on which part of T. tetraptera to
consume, as concentrations of these nutrients differ in the discrete parts of the fruit
Description
Research Article
Keywords
vitamins, therapeutic, spectrophotometer, chromatographic