Proximate Analysis and Antinutritional Factors of Water Melon Seeds (Citrullus lenatus)

Abstract

Water melon (citrullus lanatus) is a flowering plant species of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is- rich in an amino - acid called citrulline and may help move blood through the body and widely used as flavouring agent and also contributes substantially towards obtaining a balanced diet. This research was aimed to evaluate the proximate and anti nutritional factors of the plant to ensure human and animal food security. The proximate composition was done by soxhlet extraction, AOAC, Kjeldhal and other standard procedures while anti nutrients were analysed using standard procedures. The results of the research revealed the proximate composition of the water melon seeds such as moisture content, crude protein, lipids, ash content, crude fibre and carbohydrate. Low moisture content (5.20±0.003) high proteins (17.844±0.012) and lipids (18.208± 0.004) with others detected in moderate amount was obtained. Anti - nutritional factors such as oxalate, phytate, cyanide, nitrate, and tannin were also analyzed which revealed low oxalate content (0.005± 0.003) with moderate amount of phytate (4.366±0141), nitrate (47.309±0.539) and cyanide (41.510±0.138). Therefore water melon seeds might be vital in maintaining an optimum nutritional status to avoid malnutrition, morbidity or mortality.