Proximate, Phytochemical and Mineral Composition of Methanol Extract of Persea americana Seed

Abstract

This study investigated the proximate composition and evaluated the phytochemicals present in the methanol extract of Persea americana seed. The seed samples were collected, dried, ground into powder, and extracted in methanol by cold maceration. Proximate analysis was carried out using the standard methods of association of official analytical chemists (AOAC) while quantitative phytochemical analysis was done using standard methods. Mineral composition assays were carried out using the standard methods of the American public health association (APHA).  Proximate analysis revealed that the seeds of P. americana contain more carbohydrate (32.05±1.21%), fat (25.73±2.01%), and protein (21.00±0.88%) with fewer amounts of moisture (8.98±0.10%), and ash (3.28±0.16%). Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols (3.51±0.42 mg/100 g), saponins (0.05±0.38 mg/100g), alkaloid (0.70±0.37 mg/100g), beta-carotene (32.24±0.55 mg/100 g), lycopene (6.84±0.52 mg/100 g), flavonoids (34.14±3.13 mg/ 100 g), phytate (0.00±0.03 mg/100 g), cardiac glycosides (0.37±0.01%), total phytosterol (21.25±0.12 mg/100 g), stigmasterol (13.16±0.15mg/100g) and campesterol (6.16±0.12 mg/100 g). Mineral contents of the sample revealed that potassium, calcium, and magnesium have the highest concentrations while manganese and iron have the lowest. The chemical compositions of the investigated samples might be responsible for their medicinal values in phytomedicine. This study shows that Persea americana seeds are adequate in lowering cholesterol levels probably due to the presence of phytosterols.