Nutritional and Phytochemical Composition of Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea Fruit Pulp)

The nutritional and phytochemical compositions of the Shea fruits (Vitellaria paradoxa) were investigated using standard methods. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. The proximate analysis revealed that the percentage composition of the fruit was as follows:- moisture (75.4), ash (11.6), crude fat (10.6), crude protein (4.4), crude fibre (9.1), carbohydrate (17.8) and energy value (385.2 kcal/g). The mineral composition (%) of the dried Shea fruit pulp as evaluated in this study consisted of K (1.97), Na (0.47), Ca (5.50), Mg (1.75), P (1.24); Zn (1.81) and Fe (3.01). The results obtained in this study further reiterate the reason why there is high consumption of Shea fruits by farmers in West and Central Africa for both its nutritional and medicinal benefits.