NUTRITIONAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF MELON (Citrullus vulgaris) SEED HUSKS

Abstract

The nutritional and phytochemical screening of melon (citrullus vulgaris) seed husks was investigated. The nutritional analyses involve proximate analyses and anti-nutrient composition. The phytochemical parameters carried out were alkaloids; saponin and tannin. the proximate analyses showed that the sample has high level of carbohydrate 61.98%, high amount of crude fibre and ash 11.75 and 8.84%, respectively and appreciable amount of protein content 5.95% and crude fat 4.50%. Also a considerable level 6.98 % of moisture was shown. This composition shows that the sample could be a good source of carbohydrate, dietary fibre and protein. The anti-nutrient composition presents are in negligible amount. The parameters are oxalate (0.19 %), phytate (1.28 %) and cyanide (0.02 %). The result also shows a high level of tannin (4.09 %), moderate level of saponin (1.45 %), alkaloids were present in considerable amount 0.54 %. This showed that melon seed husks can be used for compounding livestock diets without having any deleterious or lethal effect on the animals