ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine the proximate analysis of the nutrient composition of African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) and its benefits to human health. African walnut seed are consumed mostly by individuals as snack or masticatories but not for health benefit or therapy. The proximate analysis was carried out to determine the vitamin A, C and E content of Africa walnut. The result reveals that the seed contain Vitamin A (1283.33±1.18), Vitamin C (14.80±2.43) and Vitamin E (0.22±0.02). Result on Individual Knowledge on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut. Assessment of individual Knowledge on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut shows that Culinary purposes has on the average the highest mean (X ̅= 4.13) i.e. the respondents indicated strong agreement to the question statement; this was followed by commercial purpose and Treatment of gastroenteritis diseases which has a mean of (X ̅= 4.07); the least assessment on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut was Boost sperm quality (X ̅= 3.00) while Relief from malarial attack” Great for hair, Lowers breast cancer risk, Treatment of indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea, and Healthy functioning of the health and normal growth were rejected. Which shows that individual has no knowledge on the Medicinal Properties of African Walnut on treatment of the disease. I recommend that people should be enlightened more on the nutritional benefit of the consumption of African walnut and more studies should be focus on its functional properties to ascertain how best these functionalities could be taken advantage of it industrially (composite flour produced from the seed for baking, food supplement process, edible oil produced, formulation of drugs etc).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents vi

List of Tables viii

List of Figures ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3 Objectives of the study 3

1.4 Significance of the study 3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Origin of African walnut 5

2.2 Global distribution 7

2.3 Structure of Walnut 8

2.4 Nutritional value and composition 9

2.4.1 The proximate nutrient and composition of African walnut 11

2.4.2 Mineral analysis of African walnut flour 12

2.5 Anti-nutritional constituents in African walnut 13

2.6 Functional properties of African walnut 15

2.6.1 Water absorption capacity (WAC) 15

2.6.2 Emulsion capacity 16

2.6.3 Foam capacity 16

2.6.4 Gelling capacity 17

2.6.5 Oil absorption capacity 18

2.7 Health benefit of African walnut 18

2.8 Uses of African walnut  25

2.9 Preparing walnuts 25

2.10 Utilization of walnut 26

2.11 Processing of walnut 29

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Material procurement 31

3.2 Area of study 31

3.3 Research design 31

3.4 Preparation of samples 31

3.5 Analytical methods 33

3.5.1 Proximate analysis 33

3.5.2 Mineral composition 37

3.5.3 Determination of vitamin 37

3.6 Assessment on the medicinal properties                      38                                                                        

3.7 Statistical analysis 38

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Results 39

4.2 Discussion 43

CHAPTER FIVE 

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion 46

5.2 Recommendation 47

REFERENCES

APPENDICES