Abstract

E. I. Adeyeye

The ripe fruit of coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn.) was analysed for its anatomical and nutritional compositions. The liquid endosperm was 156±40.43 ml (141.13±31.76 g); had 0.45±0.07 % crude protein, 1.26±0.0 % ash; 102.85 mg/100 g Ca, 279.49 mg/100 g Na and 348.46 mg/100 g K but low in As, Mg, Ni, Fe and Co. The solid endosperm was 312.64+18.32 g or 23.54% of total weight; had 9.86±0.48 % crude protein and 4.10±0.32 % crude fibre; had high values of As, Ca, Zn, Cu, Na and K but P was not detected; highest essential amino acid was arginine (Arg), its pI was 2.6, had a percentage of Cys (62.87) in TSAA with a limiting amino acid of 0.22 (22%) recorded for isoleucine (Ile).

Ripe coconut; Liquid; solid endosperm; Chemical composition

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