TITLE:
Comparative Assessment of the Proximate, Mineral Composition and Mineral Safety Index of Peel, Pulp and Seeds of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
AUTHORS:
Oluwagbenle Henry Niyi, Adesina Adeolu Jonathan, Aremu Olawale Ibukun
KEYWORDS:
Cucumber, Proximate, Minerals, Mineral Safety Index
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.9 No.9,
September
20,
2019
ABSTRACT: Cucumber (Cucumis
sativus) is a creeping vine that bears cylindrical fruits. It belongs to
the gourd family cucurbitacea. It is popularly consumed in all parts of Nigeria.
The comparative assessment of proximate, mineral composition and mineral safety
index (MSI) of cucumber (peel, pulp and seeds) was determined using standard analytical methods
(Association of Official Analytical Chemists) for proximate, minerals
composition and mineral safety index. Results showed protein content of (15.9 - 26.5) g/100 g, Carbohydrates (33.7 -
52.7) g/100 g, crude fat (0.13 - 1.44) g/100 g, moisture (12.3 - 21.7) g/100 g and ash (7.85 - 11.6) g/100 g respectively. The calorific values were 1077, 1171 and 1296 kJ/100 g for peel, pulp and seed respectively.
Considerable levels of essential and trace elements were observed in the
samples. The Na/K ratio (0.25 - 0.36) was close to 0.6, which
does not promote high blood pressure in man. The Ca/Mg values obtained were
less than the recommended value of 1.0. The milliequivalent ratios of [K/(Ca + Mg)] (3.91 - 4.48) were comparably higher
than the recommended value of 2.2 which means the sample would promote hypomagnesaemia in man. The mineral safety
indexes of Fe, Na, Ca, Zn, Cu and Mg of the samples (peel,
pulp and seeds) indicate no overloading
in the body if consumed. The results showed that all the parts of Cucumis sativus are good potentials of nutrients for human
consumption.