Mineral Contents of Ukwa, African Breadfruit (Treculia africana), from South-Eastern Nigeria: Effect of Methods of Preparation

Abstract

Aims: Major and trace elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni Pb, and Zn) were determined in 32 samples of ukwa, Treculia africana (African breadfruit). Study Design: The study was conducted on ukwa samples collected from 8 towns in Abia State, South-eastern Nigeria, between January and February, 2013. Methodology: Analysis of ukwa samples prepared using different methods (raw, dried, fried and boiled) was conducted using atomic absorption spectrophotometer after acid digestion. Results: The major elements contents (mgkg-1) of ukwa, irrespective of method of preparation, ranged from 3600-5500 for Ca, 1200-2100 for K, 660-1100 for Na and from 690-980 for Mg. The contents (mgkg-1) of Cu ranged from 10-28, 55-85 for Fe, 14-40 for Mn, 25-45 for Zn; Pb and Cd were <0.006; while Cr and Ni were <0.2 and <0.04 respectively. The methods of preparation did not significantly (P=.05) influence the levels of metals in breadfruits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the elements tend to cluster in groups with Ca-Cu-Mg-Mn linked with the first varifactor, while pairs of Zn-Fe and Na-Fe were linked with the second and third varifactors respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that ukwa is a rich dietary source of Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ca, Co, Cr, Mg, K, and Na without posing toxicological health risk due to Pb and Cd to consumers.