Abstract

Phytochemical screening, assessment of some biochemical characteristics and antioxidants indices of juice obtained from red and yellow varieties of cashew apple of domestic origin in Western Nigeria was were done with view to gain insight to its phytonutrients and health maintenance potentials. Assessment revealed the presence of phytochemical of the therapeutic importance principally: total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and anthraquinones. Quantitative assessment showed that ascorbic acid (mg/mL of juice) ranged from 0.24 to 4.00. Total sugar (mg glucose/mL of juice) ranged from 3.50 to 111.88; titratable acidity (mg citric acid equivalent/mL of juice) ranged from 5.89 to 15.71 and total phenolic content (mg ferulic acid equivalent/mL of juice) ranged from 1.20 to 1.68. Results of reducing power and hydroxyl scavenging power suggest antioxidative endowment.

Key words: Cashew apple juice, domestic origin, phytochemical screening, antioxidant potentials.