Assessment of variation in mineral content of ripe and unripe African eggplant fruit (Solanum aethiopicum L.) Exocarps

Abstract

This study investigated variation in mineral content of ripe and unripe Solanum aethiopicum fruit exocarp. Thirteen minerals; Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb Co, Cr and Ni were assayed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer while P was assayed by using UV-Visible Spectrophotometer. Results of this study showed variation in concentration of essential minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) while toxic minerals (Cd, Pb Co, Cr and Ni) were not detected in both exocarps. Concentrations of K were highest in both ripe and unripe exocarps in comparison with other minerals. Concentration of Mn (0.005mg/g) was lowest and equal in both exocarps. Only Mg was higher in the unripe (0.625mg/g) than the ripe (0.595mg/g) exocarp. Since the concentrations of all the essential minerals except Mg were higher in the ripe exocarp, this study suggested that consumption of ripe Solanum aethiopicum fruits seems more beneficial especially in terms of the amount of minerals obtainable from them.