Proximate and phytochemical analysis of soursop from nsukka

Thesis Abstract

This study was conducted on the proximate and quantitative analysis of soursop (Annona muricata) fruit. The ripe fruit was procured, sun-dried and grounded into powdery form before it was used for the analysis. The result shows that crude fiber is 6.3% crude protein, 2.8% ash 1.0% and crude fat 0.1%. the result of the qualitative phytochemical composition of the soursop pulp shows abundant presence of bioactive compounds such as tannin and flavonoid, relatively moderate presence of reducing sugar, terpenoid and glycoside while saponin, and alkaloid were present in minute amount. These bioactive compounds have been reported to be biologically significant because of their impact in several physiological activities in the body such as inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, detoxification and oxidative activities. The result justifies the nutritional and medicinal usefulness of soursop fruit.