Phytochemical and Nutritional Evaluation of Shea Tree Organs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1013-5749Keywords:
Vitellaria paradoxa, Nutritional Composition, Sub-Saharan AfricaAbstract
Vitellaria paradoxa (shea tree) is an economically important species in sub-Saharan Africa, but its vegetative parts are less characterized than the commercially valuable shea butter. The qualitative phytochemical profile, proximate composition and physicochemical properties of stem bark, leaves, kernel shell and traditionally processed shea butter were comparatively evaluated. Plant materials were gathered, identified, air-dried and analyzed according to standard AOAC procedures. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and deoxy sugars in most organs, but not anthraquinones. The leaves had the highest phytochemical intensity, especially terpenoids (+++), while the shell had the lowest diversity. The results of proximate analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the different parts of the plant, with stem bark having the highest ash content (25.10%), shell having the highest crude fibre (54.61%), and leaves having the highest carbohydrate (48.33%), protein (6.41%) and lipid (2.59%) content. Physicochemical evaluation revealed that processing decreased acid value (18.23 to 8.43 mg KOH/g), free fatty acid content (9.12% to 4.22%) and slightly increased peroxide value (4.29 to 6.11 meq O₂/kg). The iodine value was not affected, suggesting that the fatty acid unsaturation was not affected. The results showed that there is a considerable variation in the phytochemical and nutritional composition of the different organs and that the traditional clarification process enhances the hydrolytic quality of shea butter. The present study offers scientific evidence for the medicinal and nutritional applications of various organs of V. paradoxa and emphasizes their potential for...
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Copyright (c) 2026 Uduakobong Ime Idio, Nkechinyere Nneka Egwim, Anna Florence Samuel, Bukunmi Damilola Olusegun-Awosika, Onyeyirichi Esew, Okpokwu Alexander Ogabidu, Ayotunde Sunday Abe, Francis Iyeh, Evelyn Hope Odeke
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