FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, www.ftstjournal.com e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; April, 2017: Vol. 2 No. 1B pp 334 – 341 334 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE RAW FRUIT COAT, SEED AND PULP OF PASSION FRUIT (Passiflora edulis) Emmanuel Ilesanmi Adeyeye 1 * and Matthew Olaleke Aremu 2 1 Department of Chemistry (Analytical Unit), Ekiti State University, PMB 5363, Ado – Ekiti, Nigeria 2 Department of Chemical Sciences, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria *Corresponding author: eiadeyeye@yahoo.com; adeyeyeilesanmi2012@gmail.com Received: January 17, 2017 Accepted: March 26, 2017 Abstract: This study determined the chemical composition of the various parts of the Passiflora edulis fruit. The various parts were separated and analyzed for –chemical composition and antinutrient contents. Calculated were mineral safety index (MSI) and mineral ratios of some minerals; regression analyses in mineral and proximate values between seed/juice and between inner coat/outer coat; the contribution of energy due to fat, carbohydrate and protein to the total energy. The results showed that the most concentrated values were seen as follows: ash (seed), moisture (juice), protein (seed), fat (outer coat), fibre (seed), carbohydrate (seed) juice (vitamin C) and outer coat (vitamin A). Highest total energy was contributed by the seed and the least by the juice. The followings were observed as the most concentrated values: Na (outer coat), K (seed), Ca (seed), Mg (seed), Zn (outer coat), Fe (outer coat), Cu (seed), Mn (outer coat), Co (juice) and P (seed). No mineral met the ideal ratio as they were either too low or too high from the ideal. No mineral had deleterious value in the MSI. All the sugar were of low levels except maltose was greater than 1.0 in the inner coat. The rc were greater than rr in proximate composition (only in inner coat/outer coat), (both in seed/juice and inner coat/outer coat) but rr were less than rr (seed/juice only) and in sugar content (inner coat/outer coat). Keywords: Analysis, composition, morphology, nutrition, Passiflora edulis Introduction Of the estimated 500 cultivars of Passiflora, in the family Passifloraceae only one, P. edulis Sims, has the exclusive designation of passion fruit, without qualification. [The passion fruit is so called because it is one of the species of passion flower, leading to the English translation of the Latin genus name, Passiflora (Morton, 1987).] Within this specie, there are two distinct forms, the standard purple, and the yellow (Golden Passion Fruit), distinguished as P. edulis, f. flavicarpa Deg., and differing not only in colour but in certain other features. General names for both in Spanish are granadilla, parcha, parchita maracuyá, or ceibey (Cuba); in Portuguese, maracujáperoba; in French, grenadille, or couzou. The purple form may be called purple, red, or black granadilla, or, in Hawaii, lilikói; in Jamaica, mountain sweet cup; in Thailand, linmangkon. The yellow form is widely known as yellow passion fruit, is called yellow lilikoi in Hawaii; golden passion fruit in Australia; parcha amarilla in Venezuela. Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is subtropical, important in some countries, while the more tropical yellow passion fruit excels in others. Both yield delicious juice (Morton, 1987). Some think the yellow is a chance mutant that occurred in Australia. However, P. edulis in its natural range is having purple or yellow fruits. Brazil has long had a well-established passion fruit industry with large-scale juice extraction plants. The purple passion fruit is there preferred for consuming fresh; the yellow for juice processing and the making of preserves. The passion fruit name was given by Spanish missionaries to South America as an expository aid while trying to convert the indigenous inhabitants to Christianity (Morton, 1987). The fruit is reported to be delicious, rich source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fibre (Morton, 1987). The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of the anatomical parts of passion fruit (seed, juice, inner coat and outer coat). The antinutrients and sugar contents the various parts of passion fruits were also determined. The information would improve the existing information on the food composition table of Passiflora edulis F. flavicarpa Deg. Materials and Methods Collection of samples Samples were collected from Ado – Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The fruits were washed with distilled water to remove any adhering contaminant and then drained through folded filter paper. The samples were identified in the laboratory and preserved in the refrigerator prior to analysis within two days. Sample treatment In the laboratory, the passion fruits (three in number) were dissected and the pulp (juice), seeds, the outer and inner coats (epicarp and endocarp) were separated. The coats were separated ground in mortar with pestle. The seeds were treated in similar way. Sample digestion Samples that ranged from 0.2278 to 0.9720 g were weighed accurately prior to digestion. Two millilitres of concentrated nitric acid was added to each sample in a beaker, covered with watch glass and allowed to stand overnight in a fume cupboard. The beakers were heated gently on a hot plate until frothing stopped and no visible solid material was observed. Heating was continued at 75 o C to near dryness. The digests were removed and covered with glasses. Two millilitres of 50 gl -1 lanthanum chloride solution was added and the beakers were heated for the second time until dryness. Each of the final solutions was washed into a 25 ml standard flask with 0.1M HNO3 (10 ml) and made up to the mark with distilled de-ionised water (Varian Techtron, 1975; Harper et al., 1989). All the digested samples were sub-sampled into pre-cleaned borosilicate glass containers for mineral analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Sample analysis Moisture, total ash, fibre and ether extract of the samples were determined by the methods of the AOAC (2006) Nitrogen was determined by micro-Kjeldahl method (Pearson, 1976) and the crude protein content was calculated as N x 6.25. Standards of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb and Co solutions of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mgl -1 were prepared from each of the metal solutions of 1000 mgl -1 stock solutions. The filtrates of the digested samples were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The detection limit of the metals in the sample was 0.0001 mgl -1 by means of the UNICAM 929, London, atomic absorption spectrophotometer powered by the solar software. The Supported by