Chinedu, S. N. and Olasumbo, Abayomi C. and Eboji, Okwuchukwu K. and Emiloju, Opeyemi C. and Arinola, Olajumoke K. and Dania, Damilola I.
(2011)
Proximate and Phytochemical Analyses of Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum macrocarpon L. Fruits.
Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, 1 (3).
pp. 63-71.
ISSN ISSN 2231-606X
Abstract
Chemical analyses were carried out to determine the nutritional and phytochemical constituents of fruits
of two indigenous Africa eggplants, S. aethiopicum L. and S. macrocarpon L. Proximate analysis of
fresh fruits of S. aethiopicum L. (per 100 g) showed: 89.27 ± 0.12 g moisture, 2.24 ± 0.03 g protein, 0.52
± 0.04 g fat, 0.87 ± 0.03 g ash, 2.96 ± 0.08 g crude fiber, 4.14 ± 0.11 g carbohydrate and 498.47 ± 2.14
mg calcium, 1.98 ± 0.10 mg magnesium and 1.02 ± 0.02 mg iron. Fresh fruits of S. macrocarpon L.
contained (per 100 g): 92.50 ± 0.14 g moisture, 1.33 ± 0.05 g protein, 0.17 ± 0.01 g fat, 0.47 ± 0.02 g
ash, 1.11 ± 0.03 g crude fiber, 4.42 ± 0.12 g carbohydrate, 101.56 ± 1.21 mg calcium, 1.01 ± 0.08 mg
magnesium and 0.70 ± 0.01 mg iron. There was a significant presence of alkaloids, saponins,
flavonoids, tannins and ascorbic acid in both fruits; terpenoids was found in trace amount. Steroids
were present in S. aethiopicum L. and absent in S. macrocarpon L. These phytochemicals are of
therapeutic importance; their presence in S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon fruits indicate the
beneficial effects of the plants. Solanum aethiopicum L. contained higher levels of the beneficial agents
than S. macrocarpon L. The two indigenous eggplants are not only nutritionally and therapeutically
valuable, but also have the potential of providing precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs.
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