Meeting the nutritional needs of sub-Saharan Africa by exploring the potentials of Ackee seed aril - (<i>Blighia sapida</i> K.D. Koenig. - Sapindaceae) in southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Blighia sapida commonly known as ackee, is a relatively well-known, yet mostly underutilized fruit tree crop of West Africa. The main aim of this study was to ascertain the nutritive components of locally cultivated ackee fruit arils with a view to establishing their nutritive potential. Ackee fruit arils were collected from the tree stands in various field locations within Southwest Nigeria and subjected to phytochemical, Fourier TransformInfrared, and proximate analyses. Results show the presence of phenols, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids in varying degrees in the phytochemical screening. FT-IR spectroscopy of the aqueous and methanol extracts indicated the presence of amines, phenols, alcohols, alkanes, esters, and aldehydes. The proximate analysis result revealed the presence of high moisture content, ash content, crude protein and fats, and low crude fibre in the ackee fruit aril. The confirmed presence of these active functional groups and nutritive constituents in the fruit underscores the antioxidant properties and nutritive benefits of the plant. Further work needs to be done to determine how to best elucidate active principles from the ackee aril in order to explore their potential as food additives to solve the nagging dietary imbalance issues ravaging the world.