ABSTRACT

The Proximate composition of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) and African
breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) was determined. The test samples, (the seeds,
leaves, stem and root of Treculia africana and Artocarpus heterophyllus) were obtained
from Umuoji, in Idemmili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chemicals and facilities used in the practical were obtained from the Yitzhak Rabin
Laboratory Biotechnology Research Centre, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Plant
Science and Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria. The result
of the proximate compositions of the stem, root, seed and leaf of A. heterophyllus and T.
africana revealed that for A. heteropyllus, its stem extract gave higher percentage
composition of moisture (58.01±0.02 %), its root extract gave higher percentage
composition of ash (13.23±0.21%), fibre (33.79±0.01%) and dry matter (55.58±0.02%), the
seed extract gave higher percentage composition of carbohydrate (34.47±0.02%) and
protein (6.36±0.01%) and the leaf extract gave the higher percentage composition of fat
(2.17±0.01%). The proximate composition of A. heterophyllus and Treculia africana
indicated the potential benefits of these species and could be the reason these plants
are used in ethnomedicinal practices.
Keywords: Proximate, jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam, African breadfruit and
Treculia africana Decne.