Comparative studies of the level of toxicant in the seeds of Terminalia catappa (Indian Almond) and Coula edulis (African Walnut)

Abstract

The mean concentrations of tannin, oxalate, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid in the seeds of Indian almond fruits were found to be 3820.00mg/100g, 140.80mg/100g, 8.64mg/100g and 2546.72mg/100g respectively. In the seed of the African walnut fruits, the corresponding mean concentrations were 2898.00mg/100g, 48.40mg/100g, 10.80mg/100g and 1932.00mg/100g respectively. The concentrations of these toxicants in the two seeds were significantly different from each other when subjected to t-test statistics. Their concentrations were also compared with the concentration of the respective toxicants in some edible fruits. The concentration of phytic acid in these fruits was relatively higher than the concentration of phytic acid reported for some common fruits.