The Determination of Nutrients Composition of Selected Edible Fruits (Banana and Watermelon) and Economic Environmental Impacts of their Peels

E. E Okpala and P. U Chris-Okafor
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E. E Okpala: Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. P.M.B. 5025
P. U Chris-Okafor: Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. P.M.B. 5025

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2024, vol. 9, issue 12, 27-36

Abstract: Evaluation of the nutrients composition, glycemic index(GI), and glycemic load(GL) values of some edible fruits was conducted to assess their nutritional benefits and impact on human health. The comparative study of nutritional compositions of the two edible fruits and the economic environmental impact of their peels is focused to determine the essential nutrients and possible chemical compositions present in the selected fruits (banana, watermelon). These were achieved by exploring their physico-chemical properties via physico chemical methods according to Association of official analytical chemists (AOAC methods of 2019). The proximate composition analysis showed that banana has the highest energy, protein and fibre contents of 384KJ, 1.030g and 2.48g respectively, while watermelon has the highest water content of 92g with the least energy content of 132KJ. GI and GL analysis showed that banana has the least GI of 46.5% and highest GL of 12.0%, while watermelon has the highest GI value of 73% with a very low GL of 5.4%. The study will provide base-line information on the nutrient composition of some edible fruits. The information will be of use to Dieticians, Nutritionists and Home Economic Extension Staff in their nutrition Education program to popularize the fruits. The study will help in the estimation of dietary requirement of the two common fruits. The accurate information on the nutrient composition of these fruits will also help to integrate them in the food-based approach for fighting micronutrients deficiency. Furthermore; The knowledge of this work will boost people’s interest especially chemists to develop more research on compositional analysis of fruits to serve food processing industries, pharmaceutical industries, juice extraction industries, etc. The method used in this research will be useful in forensic examination of imported fruit juice of all kinds as the method is very simple and understandable. The peels from these fruits can be used to generate bioenergy since they are organic matters and serve as some of methane.

Date: 2024
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