Proximate and nutritional composition of kola nut (Cola nitida), bitter cola (Garcinia cola) and alligator pepper (Afromomum melegueta)

The proximate composition and the mineral content of three (3) traditional 'snacks', kolanut (Cola nitida), bitter kola (Garcinia cola) and alligator pepper (Afromomum melegueta) were evaluated. The results show that C. nitida has the highest moisture, crude fat and crude fibre contents of 66.4, 5.71 and 7.13%, respectively. Protein and ash contents were highest in A. melegueta (7.18 and 2.49%, respectively)- G. cola has the least content of all nutrients considered except moisture. Generally, C. nitida and G. cola have relatively comparable nutrient compositions while the composition of A. melegueta is relatively different from those obtained for the other two samples. A. melegueta has non-detectable quantity of potassium and phosphorous but has the highest quantity of calcium (388 mg/Kg dry matter), magnesium (960 mg/Kg), iron (37.8 mg/Kg), zinc (32.93 mg/Kg) and manganese (68.53 mg/Kg). C. nitida has the highest content of potassium (3484.67 mg/Kg) and phosphorous (411.43 mg/Kg). G. cola also recorded the least content of all minerals except K and P which were absent in A. melegueta. Manganese was not detected in either of kola nut or bitter kola.