DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF Citrullus lanatus (WATER MELON) FRUIT

Jatau A, Malami Y.G.  Rukayya A. and Zainab S.J.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, Sokoto

E-mail: abdulhanto@yahoo.com 

ABSTRACT

The nutritional quality of pulp, rind and seed, of Citrullus lanatus were determined. The study was carried out on dried sample. The percentage composition of pulp, seeds and rind tested were found to be low in Ash content for pulp, seeds and rind of C. lanatus (0.46, 0.62, & 0.94%) and high in carbohydrates content (91.49, 84.31 & 37.89%) respectively. Similarly the concentration of mineral elements potassium (K) was found to be low in pulp, seeds and rind and high in sodium (Na) in different part of the C. lanatus. The nutrients content obtained from the different part of the plant may contribute to the maintenance of good nutritional status and hence good health for both man and livestock.