IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 13, Issue 12 Ser. II (December. 2019), PP 01-04 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2402-1312020104 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Chemical Properties of Indigenous Wild Black Plum (Vitex doniana) Seed Otu Okogeri 1 * and Uchenna J. Amah 1 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria. * Corresponding author: Otu Okogeri. Abstract: The present study explores the potential usefulness of wild black plum (Vitex donia) seed from Ebonyi State; by assessment of nutritional and phytochemical attributes of the seed, which is usually discarded after consumption of the fruit pulp. Fat and protein were the major nutrients found in the seed, with values of 36.52% and 27.57% respectively. Fatty acid profile showed that monounsaturated oleic acid (58.54%) and saturated palmitic acid (34.24%) are the predominant fatty acids of the seed oil; while thrionine (7.55%) and methionine (6.22%) constitute the major essential amino acids; and proline (8.64%) and glutamic acid (7.33%), the major non essential amino acids. Total essential amino acid content of 37.17% was recorded, indicating that the seed can be considered a good source of essential amino acids. Ash content was 5.18% and is an indication that the wild seed contains reasonable amounts of minerals. In terms of phytochemicals, appreciable amounts of alkaloids (11.40mg/100g) and flavonoids (3.75mg/100g) were recorded, in addition to high level of phenolic compounds (170mg/100g) which suggests that the seed could possess good antioxidant properties. The above findings are indications that great potential exists for wild black plum seed as good source of nutrients and phytochemicals. Keywords: Black plum seed; Amino acid; Mbembe; Fatty acids; Vitex doniana. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 28-11-2019 Date of acceptance: 13-12-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Black plum (Vitex doniana) is a perennial shrub widely distributed in tropical West Africa, extending eastward to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in Savanna and high rainfall area 1 . It is commonly known as black plum or African olive 2 , and as Mbembe in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, where it abounds in the wild. The plant is a deciduous tree with heavy rounded crown, and can grow up to 25 metres tall. The bole can be clear of branches for up to 5 metres 3 . The fruits (mbembe) are oblong drupe 2-3cm long, green when immature, turning purplish- black on ripening. They are usually eaten as snack either fresh or dried, and have a sweet prune-like taste with velvet-like texture. The leaves of vitex doniana have been reported to have anti-malaria and anti-dysentery properties 4 ; the stem bark, anti-hepatotoxic 5 and anti-bacterial 6 ; while the fruit pulp has been reported as good source of phytochemicals and nutritional compounds 7 ; yet not much attention has been focused on the seed. The importance of some Nigerian wild seeds as rich sources of oil, protein, fibre and minerals for human consumption and animals feed has been reported 8 . Ikram et al. 9 noted that neglected and underutilized fruit seeds do not receive much attention due to lack of information on their nutritional compositions and physical qualities; and lack of promotional campaign for these fruit seeds. Fruit seeds on the other hand, can have high content of toxic and anti-nutritional substances but could still be good sources of economically valuable compounds for non-edible purposes. Black plum is among the numerous indigenous tropical fruits highly cherished for their pulps. In Ebonyi State where this fruit abound, the seed is usually discarded as waste after consumption of the fruit pulp due to lack of information on possible usefulness of the seed. The present study explores the possible usefulness of wild black plum seed from Ebonyi State by evaluating some nutritional and phytochemical compositions of the seed. II. Materials and Methods 2.1 Source and Preparation of Sample Matured plum (Vitex doniana) fruit was harvested from tree grown wild in Afikpo, Ebonyi State. The fruit was manually peeled to expose the pulp (edible part) which was removed to obtain the nut; this was further cracked open with the aid of hammer, to obtain black plum seed. The seed was sundried to constant weight, milled in a blender and subjected to analyses as outlined below.