Proximate and Mineral Analysis of Tetracarpidium conoforum (Wall nut) Root Bark Extract

Abstract

Tetracarpidium conoforum (African wall nut) have been used as a major medicinal and nutritional plant in Nigeria. It is part of the materials used traditionally in Edo State of Nigeria for bone fracture treatment. This research is conducted as a preliminary study to investigate the proximate and essential mineral composition of the root bark of the Africa wall nut. The proximate composition was determined according to standard methods and elemental analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and Flame photometer. Proximate composition revealed a moisture content of 11.22%, ash 11.28%, fibre content 33.87%, crude protein 23.12%, and fat 6.10%.  Elemental analysis indicated the presence of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and copper in varying percentages. Findings from this study, the root bark indicated the highest proportion for calcium (29.40 mg/kg) which explains its applications in by traditional herbal practitioners in bone fracture treatment and setting.