Thesis Abstract

<p> Elemental analysis is the qualitative detection and quantitative determination of<br>chemical elements(atoms,ions)in a sample(Fritz Pregl 1923). To detect an<br>element, one should fix an appearance of an analytical signal. The formation of<br>precipitate or characteristic crystals, colour change, an isolation of gaseous<br>products, an appearance of a definite lines in spectrum, luminescence, etc. To<br>determine elements quantity, it is necessary to measure a value of an analytical<br>signal; a precipitate mass, intensity of a current, solution absorption, spectrum line,<br>luminescence or radioactivity, a reaction rate and so on.(<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http//www.intechopen.com)">www.intechopen.com)</a>.<br>This study was undertaken to analse the elements present in grounded Pterocarpus<br>mildbreadii (Oha seed) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer(AAS MODELAA320N).The<br>seed was found to contain these essential macro minerals/elements<br>sodium(Na),Potassium(K),calcium(Ca),magnesium(Mg),and the trace elements<br>iron(Fe),copper(Cu),zinc(Zn), and selenium(Se)(Duffus,2002).<br>The study established that Pterocarpus mildbreadii(oha seed) does not contain<br>manganese and has high content of potassium which is necessary for good health. <br></p>

Thesis Overview

<p> 1.1 INTRODUCTION, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES<br>A seed or mature ovule is a miniature plant with a protective cover in a<br>suspended state of development. Most seeds contain a built-in food supply called<br>endosperm, orchid is an exception. The endosperm can be made up of proteins,<br>carbohydrates and fats.<br>Seed can also be defined as a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called<br>the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule<br>of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some<br>growth within the mother plant(Wikipedia).Seed protects a plant embryo so that it<br>can grow into a new plant. Many seeds are edible, such as sunflower seeds, tomato<br>seeds, corn and peas.<br>Seeds contain three distinct structures. The inside of a seed contains an embryo,<br>which is a baby plant with a shoot and a tiny root. The two halves of a seed are<br>stored food that provides the nourishment necessary for seeds to germinate, or<br>begin growing. Surrounding the seed is a hard, tough seed coat, which protects the<br>seed during dormancy(Anville 2007).<br>Most seeds contain a built-in food supply called endosperm. The endosperm can<br>be made up of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Seeds also contain anti-nutrients in<br>their seed coat. These anti-nutrients includes phytin, lectin, trypsin inhibitor<br>activity, tannin and cyanide. In addition, they also contain minerals such as<br>sodium, potassium,calcium,magnesium,phosphorus,zinc,manganese,iron,selenium<br>and copper.(Balogun 2000)<br>Oilseeds are energy dense foods; for example, sesame seeds provide 600kcal or<br>2470kj/1000g.Although oilseeds contain protein(|14-32g/100g)and<br>carbohydrate(ranging from less than 1g/100g to more than 34g/100g),most of the<br>food energy they provide is as fat(which provides 9kcal or 37kj/g).Oilseeds vary<br>widely in their fatty acid composition but tend to be rich in MUFA(e.g peanut)r<br>PUFA(e.g sunflower seeds).Some seed oils contain significant amounts of EFA,<br>ALNA, an n-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid(LA),an n-6 fatty acid. from these two<br>fatty acids, the body can make all the fatty acids it needs. From LA, arachidonic<br>acid can be produced, and from ALNA the long chain n-3 eicosapentaenoic<br>acid(EPA)and docosahexanoic acid(DHA)can be made.(BNF 1999).<br>Generally, whole oilseeds are a source of fibre, phosphorus, iron and magnesium;<br>many oilseeds are a source of vitamin E(an antioxidant),niacin and folate. Whole<br>oilseeds also contain phytoestrogens, a group of substances including lignans and<br>isoflavones. Phytoestrogens have a structure similar to the oestrogen hormone<br>oestradiol and can bind to oestrogen receptors.Phytoestrogens may provide a<br>protective effect against coronary heart disease as they have been shown to have a<br>lowering effect on blood cholesterol.Additionally,some phytoestrogens may have<br>antioxidant properties(Goldberg 2003).<br>In Britain, oilseeds are usually consumed, following processing,as oils and<br>margarines. The fatty acid composition of oils produced from oilseeds varies<br>widely. Vegetable oils do not contain the same levels of macronutrients, vitamins<br>and minerals as whole oilseeds. In fact, apart from fat itself, vitamin E is the only<br>nutrient present in appreciable amounts. Vegetable oils do, however, contain a<br>range of phytochemicals, e.g they are the main source of natural plant sterols in<br>the diet. Plant sterols have a structure similar to cholesterol and hence reduce<br>cholesterol absorption, therefore reducing the circulating levels of total and low<br>density lipoprotein(LDL)cholesterol. Plant sterols can be present as free or<br>esterified forms and the proportions vary, e.g free sterols dominate in<br>soybean,olive and sunflower oil,while in rapeseed and corn oil, free sterols account<br>for only 30% of the plant sterols.Refining vegetable oils decreases the content of<br>sterols(from 10-70% depending on the oil and processing conditions used),thus<br>decreasing their potential to lower serum cholesterol(Goldberg 2003).<br>1.2 AIM OF STUDY<br>To determine the elements present in grinded oha seed(Pterocarpus<br>mildbreadii)<br>1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE;<br>This study was primarily designed to use grinded oha seed(Pterocarpus<br>mildbreadii) extract for elemental analysis. <br></p>