P.O. OKOLO, E.N. DIBIE AND A.M. AFURE
Abstract
The nutritional profile of oil-palm tree inflorescence (Elaeis guineensis) obtained from some farms in South East Nigeria was investigated. The concentration of some dietary metals (Na, K, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn) and heavy (toxic) metals (Pb, Ni, As, V) are established using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS); while the proximate composition (moisture content, crude protein, ash content, crude fibre, nitrogen-free extract [NFE], crude fat, and total carbohydrate) are determined using methods prescribed by Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Results are expressed as mean values ± standard error of mean from a representative sample, and presented as follows: dietary metals (μg/g): Na, 133.35 ± 0.25; K, 267.32 ± 0.48; Cu,7.90 ± l.21; Zn, 5.10 ± 0.02; Mg, 49.91 ± 0.03; Mn, 7.25 ± 0.02 and Fe, 415.70 ± 0.01. Toxic metals (μg/g): Pb, 0.40 ± 0.06; Ni, 2.01 ± 0.02; As, < 0.01 and V, < 0.01. Proximate composition (% w/w): moisture, 5.92 ± 0.56; crude protein, 2.94 ± 0.98; ash, 10.75 ± 2.29; crude fibre, 37.68 ± 2.88; NFE, 32.55 ± 2.44; crude fat, 10.18 ± 0.38; and total carbohydrate, 70.57 ± 8.47. This reveals that the oil-palm tree inflorescence may have great prospect as food supplement in animal nutrition, with particular emphasis on mineral content, crude fibre and total carbohydrate.