Phytochemical, antioxidant, phenolic, and mineral composition of Mangifera indica L. (mango) and Persea Americana Mill. (avocado) seed and exocarp (peel)

Abstract

Fruits are known for their nutrients and therapeutic potentials. This study aimed at determining the phytochemical constituents, antioxidative prowess, mineral constituents, and total phenolic composition of Mangifera indica (mango) and Persea americana (avocado) fruits’ seeds and their exocarps  (peel) respectively. The phytochemical screenings were carried out using standard techniques, and saponins, terpenes, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and anthraquinones were detected. Both the seeds and peels’ samples of M. indica and P. americana have high percentage of antioxidant activities as recorded with DPPH method at varying concentrations. The mineral analysis of both fruits’ samples has potassium in highest amount (127 - 163mg/L), followed by calcium (11 – 26 mg/L), magnesium (6 – 13mg/L), sodium (1.99 – 7.14 mg/L), then iron (2.7 – 4.14 mg/L) in that order. Both lead, chromium and copper were undetected in the samples. The total phenolic contents of the samples were measured using the Follin-Ciocalteus reagent at varied concentrations and their values reported in mg/g of GAE. Both are a good source of fibre, vitamin C and E, minerals and antioxidants with only a few calories.