Abstract

In this study, we are reporting for the first time a comparative study of the physicochemical and nutritional values and mineral contents of pulp, seed and shell of the local cultivar ofPrunus persica, called Chinensis. The percentage of moisture in pulp (87.6) was much higher than that of seed (7.0) and shell (15.0). Seed had highest percentages of ash (3.36), fat (37.7), crude protein (2.7) and carbohydrates (47.4) while for pulp were 0.5, 0.2, 0.6, 9.2 and shell were 0.2, 0.086, 0.078, and 10.5 respectively. The percentage of fiber content was highest in the shell (74.2) which was 2.0 in the pulp and 1.9 in the seed. The pulp, seed and shell all contained higher quantity of potassium than sodium and other estimated minerals. They contained 35, 50 and 30 mg/100 g of potassium respectively while they had almost same amount of sodium (15 to 16 mg/100 g). The seed has highest quantity of zinc (4.3 mg/100 g) while copper was highest in shell (1.0 mg/100 g).  The pulp and seed contained almost equal quantity of iron (1.3 mg/100 g) which was much higher than that in the shell (0.04 mg/100 g). The composition of fatty acids in the seed oil was determined by Gas-Liquid Chromatography and palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids were found as major components. The seed oil of Chinensis was also compared with that of another indigenous variety, Red Indian, in the acid, iodine, saponification, and ester values, nonsaponifiable matter, free fatty acids, specific gravity, density, refractive index and triglycerides.

Key words: Prunus persica, nutritional, physicochemical, mineral studies.