Journal of Innovation and Sustainability,3 (2021); 93 – 97 ISSN Online: 0184-7937 Journal of Innovation and Sustainability Page 93 Proximate Composition of Luffa Acutangula (Sponge Gourd) Fruit Dr. Nyong, Bassey E. *1 ; Ita, Obo Okokon 2 ; Ita, Precious Okokon 3 ; Eka, Moses Eso Bassey 4 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria. Correspondence: marknyong@gmail.com 2 Department of Pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Calabar, Nigeria. 3 Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria. 4 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria. ABSTRACT The proximate composition of Luffa Acutangula (sponge gourd) fruit collected from a dumpsite at Akpan Andem Market, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was investigated. The parameters investigated were determined using standard biochemical methods. The proximate analysis of the leaves revealed that Luffa Acutangula (sponge gourd) is a poor source of protein (0.90) and lipid (0.30) but has very high carbohydrate content (68.20%), lignin (14.70%), hemicelluloses (15.80%) and cellulose (37.70%); moderate moisture (9.30%) and ash (10.40%). Results show that the plant can withstand moisture and will not deteriorate easily if used for food processing. INTRODUCTION Plant parts have always been used for food and remedies for disease conditions as they play a significant role in traditional herbal treatments. CITATION: Nyong, B. E., Ita, O. O., Ita, P. O. and Eka, E. B. (2021). Proximate Composition of Luffa Acutangula (Sponge Gourd) Fruit. Journal of Innovation and Sustainability, 3: 93 – 97. Despite these wide uses, only a few African medicinal plants have been studied (Ambalkar and Talib, 2012). Food can be scientifically defined as that substance which is necessary to support growth, maintain body functions, repair or replace tissues and provides energy for living organism (Kuponiyi and Amuda, 2013). It is important to find alternative food sources as a result of food shortage and drought especially in rural communities. All organisms must obtain nutrients from their environments to live and these nutrients include organic chemicals, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins, and inorganic substances, such as minerals and water. The nutrients are essential for the maintenance of biological functions, including metabolism, growth, and repair (Dias, Lima, Carriazo, Rives, Pillinger and Valente, 2010; Meyers, Chen, Lin and Seki, 2008). Sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca) is rich in fiber. However, it has not been exploited or used for other value addition. This may in part, be explained by the dearth of information on its properties as well as its processing techniques; however, reports for sponge gourd fruits are limited. Hence, this work is an effort to study the chemical composition of sponge gourd and improve the utilization of some common agricultural wastes in the production of useful chemicals.