Chemical evaluation of waste from Thaumatococcus danielli (Benth) processing

Three different batches of Thaumatococcus danielli (Benth) fruits were collected at different fruiting seasons. The proximate compositions of the pericarp and seeds were determined on a dry weight basis. Partial characterization of the lipid extract was carried out and tannin content determined. The average moisture, ash and lipid contents of the pericarp were higher (89.2+/-4.17%, 20.7+/-1.10% and 11.6+/-1.23%, respectively) than those of the seed (31.2+/-4.66%, 9.1+/-0.71% and 8.2+/-1.64%, respectively). Crude protein and total carbohydrate were, however, higher in the seed (9.5+/-4.38% and 69.4+/-11.52%, respectively) than in the pericarp (4.5+/-2.21% and 6.3+/-3.94%, respectively). The dietary fiber contents of both pericarp and seed were high. Starch content was very low in the pericarp (0.4+/-0.0%) compared to the seed (66.28+/-9.21%). Tannin content in the pericarp and seeds was 12.1+/-1.52 mg/g and 21.9+/-2.28 mg/g, respectively. The oil extracted from both pericarp and seeds was light-yellow in color and slightly solid at room temperature. Unsaturation level of T. danielli oil was low, while free fatty acids were high. The results obtained suggested that T. danielli waste could potentially be a raw material in livestock feed formulation.