A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE FOOD AND NUTRIENT VALUES OF THE COTYLEDONS OF Irvingia gabonensis (O’Rocke) Brail and Irvingia wommbolu

Abstract

A comparative study of the food and nutrient value of Irvingia gabonensis  (O’Rocke) Brail and irvingia wombolu  collected from three sites in Southern NIgeria was undertaken. Data (using a two-way analyses of variance) indicated that significant difference existed in the moisture content between the two species across sites. I. gabonensis had a moisture content of 6.93% while I. wombolu had a moisture content of 6.67%. Viscosity was higher for I. wombolu (1317 centipoises) compared with I. gabonensis (1433 centipoises). Sugar and starch values (indicators of viscosity) through insignificant were higher, for I. wombolu (6.29 % and 6.76%) compared with I. gabonensis (5.77 % and 6.22 %). The oil content of I. wombolu  was less than that of I. gabonensis  with values of 43,04 % and 43.68% respectively. This has implication for storage and shelf life.