Abstract

Shahin Aziz*, Tahmina Khondkar Mitu and Sharif M. Al-Reza

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this present study was to investigate the proximate composition, phytochemical and mineral content of Santalum rubrum seed. The results obtained from proximate analysis were: moisture content (10.17%), dry matter (89.83%), ash (4.95%), organic matter (95.05%), crude protein (19.81%), crude fiber (6.87%), carbohydrate (21.39%), and nitrogen (3.17 %). From total ash we also estimated (39.97%) water soluble and (60.03%) water insoluble while (92.01%) acid soluble and (7.99%) acid insoluble ash. The calorific values of the seed were found 390.6cal/gm. The presence of some phytochemicals like alkoloids, saponins and flavonoids explained the medicinal action of the plant encountered in its therapeutic uses. The seed samples contains reasonable amount of essential mineral needed for the body such as potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, copper, manganese, lead, nickel, chromium and cadmium. The mineral elemental concentration carried out showed potassium having the highest concentration of 91.89 mg/kg while Cd was the lowest (0.0001 mg/kg).