Nutritional characterization of neglected and unexploited seed (oil) from Klainedoxa gabonesis (Shrew African bush mango): A novel study

Shrew African bush mango (Ujiri Nkakwu), a neglected and unexploited oil seed plant, was examined for its nutritional profiles, as well as its oil compositions. The pulverized seeds were subjected to proximate analysis, and standard methods were employed to determine the fatty acid, phytosterol, and tocopherol profiles, whereas the amino acid profile was ascertained from the de-fatted cake. Proximate composition showed that it is very rich in fat, followed by protein and then fiber, while the least was moisture; it also has a very high calorific value of 2364.39±10.30/kcal. Among the six essential amino acids, L-leucine was the most prevalent, whereas glycine was the most prevalent non-essential amino acid (n = 5). According to the fatty acid profile, stearic acid was the main saturated fatty acid found in the oil, while oleic acid was the main polyunsaturated fatty acid present in the sample, followed by linoleic acid at 15.1204 µg/ml. Betulin, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, cuperol, and avenasterol are the sterols identified, with avenasterol being the major phytosterol present in the oil. According to these findings, Shrew African Bush Mango seeds might make great sources of oil. Consequently, Shrew African Bush Mango contains a high content of essential amino acids and protein for food or feed.