Download pdf - Germination Trial, Proximate And Elemental Analysis Of Vitex Doniana (Linn) Fruits

Abubakar. et al.

Int. J. Biol. Sci.

(Onli

RESEARCH PAPER

Germination Trial, Proximate And Elemental Analysis Of

Vitex Doniana

Abubakar S.,*

1Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Sheda Science and T

P.M. B. 186, Garki, Abuja.

2Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja,

Keywords: Germination trial, Proximate analysis, Minerals analysis,

Abstract

The main objectives of this research work is to access the responses of pre

Vitex doniana seeds (dormancy breakage), however, proximate and minerals analysis of its fruits pulp were

also preliminary evaluated. 1800 fruits from 15 trees were collected from

Niger state of central part of Nigeria. The seeds were subjected into chemicals and hot water treatments at

various degree. The result shows that scarification with H

undepulped at 1000c proved to be the best treatment method of germination (dormancy breakage) of Vitex

doniana. The analysis of dried black pulp powder

content proved promising (15.91 and 55.86%) respectively, t

(7.39%). The minerals analysis of the pulp powder reveals that the pulp contain minerals within safety limit

such as, Calcium (Ca, 22.00mg/g), Magnesium (Mg, 7.00mg/g), Sodium (Na, 15.00mg/g), Potassium (K,

12mg/g) and others elements such as Manganese (Mn, 0.03mg/g), Zinc (Zn, 0.004mg/g), Chromium (Cr,

0.023mg/g) Copper (Cu, 0.10mg/g) and Iron (Fe,0.01mg/g) are also present at very low proportions while

Lead (Pd) was completely absent which qualified the pulp to

statistical chi-square (X2) contingency test was adopted to analyzed the significance differences between the

treatments using various chi-square values

Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

Dynamic Network for Research Works

DNetRW © 2015 http://www.dnetrw.com

International Journal of Biological Sciences (IJBS)

ISSN: 2313

(Onli http://www.dne

Vol. 02, No. 02

OPEN ACCESS


Vitex Doniana (Linn) Fruits.

Abubakar S.,*1&2Saba, J. J.2 and Umar, I. D.2

Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO),

Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, P.M.B. 117. Abuja, Nigeria.

Germination trial, Proximate analysis, Minerals analysis, Vitex doniana

work is to access the responses of pre-sowing treatment on germination of


also preliminary evaluated. 1800 fruits from 15 trees were collected from various location between FCT and


various degree. The result shows that scarification with H2SO4, hot water depulped at 60

c proved to be the best treatment method of germination (dormancy breakage) of Vitex

doniana. The analysis of dried black pulp powder reveals that, the total ash content and total carbohydrate

content proved promising (15.91 and 55.86%) respectively, the pulp powder divulge low protein content



) and others elements such as Manganese (Mn, 0.03mg/g), Zinc (Zn, 0.004mg/g), Chromium (Cr,


Lead (Pd) was completely absent which qualified the pulp to be safe and good candidate for consumption.

) contingency test was adopted to analyzed the significance differences between the

square values.

[email protected]

P a g e | 27

2015

International Journal of Biological Sciences (IJBS)

ISSN: 2313-3740 (Online)

http://www.dnetrw.com

2, P. 27-38, 2015

OPEN ACCESS


echnology Complex (SHESTCO),

P.M.B. 117. Abuja, Nigeria.

fruits

sowing treatment on germination of


ious location between FCT and


, hot water depulped at 600c and hot water

c proved to be the best treatment method of germination (dormancy breakage) of Vitex

reveals that, the total ash content and total carbohydrate

he pulp powder divulge low protein content



) and others elements such as Manganese (Mn, 0.03mg/g), Zinc (Zn, 0.004mg/g), Chromium (Cr,


be safe and good candidate for consumption. The

) contingency test was adopted to analyzed the significance differences between the

Abubakar. et al. P a g e | 28

Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2015


INTRODUCTION

Today, there are heightened awareness of

importance of wild fruits and the attendant

and amazing health benefits of fruits

generally on the lives of people. However,

little attention and research has been

undertaken on the attendant and amazing

health benefit of most indigenous and wild

fruits such as Vitex doniana especially in

Nigeria and when compared with foreign and

domesticated fruits. While every measure is

being taken to boost food production by

conventional agriculture, a lot of interest is

currently being focused on the possibilities of

exploiting the vast numbers of less familiar

plant resources existing in the wild [1, 2].

Many such plants have been identified, but

the lack of data on their nutraceutical values

has limited the prospects for their utilization

[3, 4]. Most reports on some lesser-known and

unconventional crops indicate that they could

be good sources of nutrients, and many have

the potential of broadening the present

narrow food base of the human species [5, 6].

Moreover, little measures and efforts have

been taken on how to conserve, improve and

cultivate these wild fruits, hence natural

(vegetable) resources are under-exploited.

Vitex doniana (Linn.) is a widespread

deciduous tree found largely in coastal

woodlands and savannah but also in wetter or

riverine areas at lower altitudes [7]. It is

extremely widespread in tropical Africa,

occurring from Senegal to Somalia and to

South Africa, also in Cameroon and

Seychelles [8]. The plant belongs to the Order

Lamiales, Family Verbenaceae which are

composed of herbs, shrubs and trees with

simple (rarely compound), ex-stipulate leaves

in opposite or whorled arrangement. The

stems are usually rectangular in cross section

[9]. [8] stated that, there are 36 genera of

Lamiales, 1,035 families of which family

Verbenaceae is one of them, about 200 Species

of Vitex and that approximately 60 species

occur in tropical Africa among which Vitex

doniana is most widespread. The variability of

Vitex doniana is remarkable regarding it’s

morphology as well as it’s habitat choice and

therefore, biosystematics research is

warranted.[10] gave some local names of Vitex

doniana as follows: English (black plum, Vitex,

African Oak), Fula (Galbihi), Hausa (Dinya),

Fulani (Galbilhi), Kanuri (Ngarmi), Yoruba

(Oori-nla), and in Nupe it is called

Dinchi/Edin.Fruiting is usually between May

to October, broadly ellipsoid fruit shape,

about 1 inch long with a thin pulp

surrounding the very hard stony endocarp

which produces green fruits which ripen into

black [7]. [7] reported that each fruit contains

1 hard, conical seed, 1.5-2 cm long, 1-1.2 cm

wide and that the edible fruit is sweet, tastes

like prunes and is occasionally sold.

The fruit is used to improve fertility and to

treat anaemia, jaundice, leprosy and

dysentery and can be made into wine [7]. The

[7] added that the root is used for gonorrhea

treatment, and women drink a decoction of it

for backaches. The young tender leaves are

pounded and the juice squeezed into eyes to

treat eyes troubles. The young leaves are also

collected and used as a green vegetable and

used as fodder as reported by [9]. The fruits

pulp of Vitex doniana, is also used to make

juice, processed to make wine in many

countries of Africa [11].

The objectives of this research work is to

assess the responses of pre-sowing seed

treatments on germination of Vitex doniana

seeds (breaking of dormancy)using chemicals

and hot water treatments. In addition the

proximate and some minerals contents of

Vitex donianafruits pulp producing in this

areas were also analysed for educating the

Abubakar. et al.

Int. J. Biol. Sci.

community to benefit with various economic

and biological importance of V. doniana

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Area

The study was carried out at University of

Abuja Biological Garden Mini Campus,

Gwagwalada Federal Capital Abuja.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is

located between latitudes 8025 and 9

of the equator and longitudes 60

east of the Greenwich Meridian. It has a total

land mass of about 8,000sqkm, located

geographically at the center of the country

(Nigeria). FCT falls within the Savanna Zone

vegetation of the West African Sub

with patches of rain-forest especiall

the South Eastern parts of the territory. The

annual total rainfall is in the range of

1,100mm to 1,600mm.

Identification, Collection and Preparation of

Vitex doniana Fruits.

The location, identification and collection of

fruits cut across parts of FCT (Dutse and

Gwagwalada) and Niger State (Izom, Minna,

Figure 1;


community to benefit with various economic

V. doniana.

The study was carried out at University of

Abuja Biological Garden Mini Campus,

Gwagwalada Federal Capital Abuja. The

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is

25 and 9026 north 045 and 7039

east of the Greenwich Meridian. It has a total

land mass of about 8,000sqkm, located

geographically at the center of the country

(Nigeria). FCT falls within the Savanna Zone

vegetation of the West African Sub-region

forest especially around

the South Eastern parts of the territory. The

annual total rainfall is in the range of

Identification, Collection and Preparation of

The location, identification and collection of

of FCT (Dutse and

Gwagwalada) and Niger State (Izom, Minna,

Kataeregi, Jima, Doko, Wuya, Kutigi, Labozhi,

Kudu, Mokwa, Takuma, Jebba and Bokani).

Vitex doniana trees were located and identified

around major roads, linking from Abuja to

Minna, Bida, Kutigi, Mokwa up to Jebba

(North) areas in order to have a wider

coverage and sample collection. Hence, the

collection centres were grouped into three

locations; namely Minna –

Kutigi-Bida (KUBI) and Mokwa

(MOJE) locations. MIAB location co

Dutse, Gwagwalada, Izom, Minna, and

Kataeregi centres, KUBI location comprise of

Kutigi, Jima, Doko, Wuya, Labozhi while

MOJE location comprise of Mokwa, Jebba,

Kudu, Takuma, and Bokani).

Many Vitex doniana trees were located and

identified from each location and the trees

were monitored through regular observation

at potential collection sites (locations) to

indicate when collection of fruits is likely to

be worthwhile. This trend continued until the

fruits become matured ripe (i.e. turn black)

which signifies the best time the fruits were

ready for collection as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1; V. doniana mature/ripe fruits.

P a g e | 29

2015

Kataeregi, Jima, Doko, Wuya, Kutigi, Labozhi,

Kudu, Mokwa, Takuma, Jebba and Bokani).

trees were located and identified

around major roads, linking from Abuja to

, Mokwa up to Jebba

(North) areas in order to have a wider

coverage and sample collection. Hence, the

collection centres were grouped into three

– Abuja (MIAB),

Bida (KUBI) and Mokwa – Jebba

(MOJE) locations. MIAB location comprise of

Dutse, Gwagwalada, Izom, Minna, and

Kataeregi centres, KUBI location comprise of

Kutigi, Jima, Doko, Wuya, Labozhi while

MOJE location comprise of Mokwa, Jebba,

Kudu, Takuma, and Bokani).

trees were located and

each location and the trees

were monitored through regular observation

at potential collection sites (locations) to

indicate when collection of fruits is likely to

be worthwhile. This trend continued until the

fruits become matured ripe (i.e. turn black)

hich signifies the best time the fruits were

ready for collection as shown in figure 1.




METHODS OF FRUIT COLLECTION

Shaded, Vitex doniana fruits were collected

through hand picking from each of the trees

crown. To have a very high viability of seed

only physiologically matured and ripped

fruits were picked. Collections were made

from a total of fifteen trees across the three

locations.

The reasonable spacing between sampled

trees was also considered to reduce the

likelihood of mixing up the fruits from closely

located trees; hence a minimum of 100 metre

apart was used as a parameter for such

spacing. Collections from the three location

were also adopted in order to ensure

collection from trees with slightly different

environmental, climatic and soil factors.

The fruits were collected using sacks and

perforated polyethene bags to provide

enough aeration for the initial draining of

moisture, reduce overheating and loss of

viability. Collections from each tree were

made in separate sacks and details of

collections were recorded and labeled on each

sack such as location and tree number. All

collections were done within 72hours (three

days).

Pre-Sowing Seed Treatments (PSTs).

Fruits from each tree and locations were

divided into groups according to the number

of treatments to be rendered to them. A total

of six (6) different pre-sowing seed treatments

from two major treatments (chemical and hot

water treatments) were given to the fruits

collected. This was considered in order to

have an increase in the percentage of viable

seed that will germinate and also for the

benefit of faster germination.

Chemical PSTs involve the use of two

different concentrated chemicals namely;

H2SO4 and HNO3. H2SO4 was 97.99%

acidimetric with 89.07g/mol while, HNO3 was

65% with 63.01g/mol. The fruits were

depulped and soaked in chemicals for 30

minutes after which they were removed and

planted.

Hot Water PSTswere made up of two main

categories; namely hot water PST’s at 600c and

1000c. Each category has two groups –

depulped and undepulped. Using kerosene

stove and cooking pots, water was heated to

600c and 1000c for each group; depulped and

undepulped respectively. Thermometer was

used to measure the degree of hotness of

water (Temperature). Depulped and

undepulped fruits for both 600c and 1000c

were immersed in hot water which is then

allowed to cool gradually for up to 24hours to

allow the seeds which are swollen after

imbibing water are ready for sowing.

Seed Sowing/Propagation.

All the treated seeds were directly planted

into already prepared, arranged and well

labeled seed pots. The date of planting (DOP)

of each group of treated seeds were recorded

and observations were made on daily basis.

Twenty (20) seeds per pot, per tree, 100 seeds

for five trees per location and a total of 600

seeds per location for 6 different PST’s were

planted. A grand total of 1800 seeds from

fifteen (15) trees and from three locations

were planted.

Proximate Analysis of the fruits pulp

Determination of the proximate composition

of Vitex doniana fruits (pulp)black powdered

was carried out in Chemistry Advanced

laboratory (SHESTCO). The moisture content,

ash, crude fibre, and crude protein contents of

the pulverized fine powder was determined

using official methods [12]. 100 g of the

powder was weighed in hot air oven at 1050 C

to a constant weight. The difference in weight

was recorded as the moisture content. Three

gram of the powder was placed in a pre-

weighed porcelain crucible and ignited in an

ashing furnace maintained at 60000 C. The ash

content was determined as soon as white ash

was obtained and a constant weight was




maintained. The crude fibre was obtained by

digesting 2 g of the samples with H2SO4 and

NaOH and incinerating the residue in a

muffle furnace maintained at 5500C for 5 -8

hrs. The nitrogen content was determined by

micro-kjeldahl method and multiplied by 6.25

to estimate the crude protein content. The

Carbohydrate content was also determined by

differences as described by [12].

Elemental Analysis

Sample digestion, for about 2g of the sample

was digested with (Aqua regia) 3ml of HCL to

1ml OF HNO3 until a clear solution was

observed; the suspension was then filtered

into a 100m volumetric flask and made it up

to the mark (100ml) using deionized water.

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer

(Youngling AAS 8010 Model, Korea) was used

for the determination of each element.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Table 1: Germination of Fruits under Different Treatment from Different Locations.

MAJOR

TREATMENT

SUB

TREATMENT

MINNA-ABUJA (MIAB) LOCATION

TREE

I

TREE

2

TREE

3

TREE

4

TREE

5

TOTA

L

CHEMICAL

H2S04

3

2

4

4

1

14

HNO3

2

2

0

2

0

06

HOT WATER

(600C)

DEPULPED

6

3

4

3

5

21

UNDEPULPED

6

0

5

6

1

18

HOT WATER

(1000C)

DEPULPED

0

0

4

3

0

07

UNDEPULPED

1

0

4

6

4

15

TOTAL

18

7

21

24

11

81




Table 2: A Comparison of Summary of Inter Trees, Treatments and Inter Locations

Cumulative Frequency Germination

LOCATI

ON

TREATMENTS

H2S

O4

HNO3 HOT

WATER

(600C)

UNPULP

ED

HOT

WATER

(600C)

UNDEPULP

ED

HOT WATER

(1000C)

DEPULPED

HOT

WATER

(1000C)

UNDEPULP

ED

TOTAL

MINNA

ABUJA

(MIAB)

14

6

21

18

7

15

81

KUTIGI-

BIDA

(KUBI)

34

15

33

26

15

16

139

MAJOR

TREATMENT

SUB

TREATMENT

CHEMICAL

H2S04

HNO3

HOT WATER

(600C)

DEPULPED

UNDEPULPED

HOT WATER

(1000C)

DEPULPED

UNDEPULPED

TOTAL

KUTIGI-BIDA (KUBI)

LOCATION

MOKWA-JEBBA (MOJE)

LOCATION

TR

EE

1

TR

EE

2

TR

EE

3

TR

EE

4

TR

EE

5

TO

TA

L

TR

EE

1

TR

EE

2

TR

EE

3

TR

EE

4

TR

EE

5

TO

TA

L

6

4

10

9

5

34

4

3

4

5

5

21

0

3

4

5

3

15

1

0

2

0

3

06

7

6

11

5

4

33

3

5

6

5

6

25

5

3

3

6

9

26

5

4

5

3

5

22

1

3

4

2

5

15

5

0

3

2

2

12

3

4

2

3

4

16

2

3

5

3

6

19

22

23

34

30

30

139

20

15

25

18

27

105




MOKWA

-JEBBA

(MOJE)

21

6

25

22

12

19

105

TOTAL

69

27

79

66

34

50

325

Tables 3-5 show chi-square (X2) contingency test with treatments and locations factors. Expected

counts are printed below observed counts.

Table 3: Chemical Treatments versus Locations

X2= 0.098+ 0.021+ 0.019 + 0.261 + 0.057+ 0.051 = 0.507

DF = 2, P-Value = 0.776

Table 4: Hot Water (HW) 600C Depulped and Undepulped Treatments versus Location

Treatment Mokwa-Jebba

Location

Kutigi-Bida

Location

Minna-Abuja

Location

Total

H2SO4 21

(19.61)

34

(34.86)

14

(14.53

69

HNO3 6

(7.39)

15

(13.50)

6

(5.47)

27

Total 27 49 20 96


Location

Kutigi-Bida

Location

Minna-Abuja

Location

Total

HW 600C

Depulped

25

(25.61)

33

(32.14)

21

(21.25)

79

HW 600C

Undepulped

22

(21.39)

26

(26.86)

18

(17.75)

66

Total 47 59 39 145

Abubakar. et al.

Int. J. Biol. Sci.

X2= 0.014+ 0.023 + 0.003 + 0.017 + 0.027 + 0.003 = 0.088

DF = 2, P-Value = 0.957

Table 5: Hot Water (HW) 1000C Depulped and


Location

HW 1000C

Depulped

12

(12.55)

HW 1000c

Undepulped

19

(18.45)

Total 31

X2 = 0.024 + 0.479 + 0.407 + 0.016 + 0.326 + 0.277 = 1.530

DF = 2, P-Value = 0.465.

Vv

Figure 2: Proximate composition of dried black pulp of


= 0.014+ 0.023 + 0.003 + 0.017 + 0.027 + 0.003 = 0.088

C Depulped and Undepulped Treatments versus Locations

Jebba

Kutigi-Bida

Location

Minna-Abuja

Location

15

(12.55)

7

(8.90)

16

(18.45)

15

(13.10)

31 22

= 0.024 + 0.479 + 0.407 + 0.016 + 0.326 + 0.277 = 1.530

Figure 2: Proximate composition of dried black pulp of V. doniana fruits.

P a g e | 34

2015

Undepulped Treatments versus Locations

Total

34

50

84




Figure 3: Elemental analysis of dried black pulp of V. doniana Fruits.

DISCUSSION

The study revealed that Vitex doniana fruits

have potentials to germinate irrespective of

Pre-Sowing Treatments (PSTs) that could be

given as indicated in table 1. However,

differences in terms of Cumulative Frequency

Germination (CFG) depend on environmental

and genetic factors such as climatic and soil

differences. Hence, a combination of two or

more PSTs such as hot water at 600C and

chemical (H2so4) as revealed from the result

will definitely increase the percentage and

chances of germination of Vitex doniana fruits.

Similarly, a comparison study between the

inter trees, location and treatments based on

CFG as shown in table 2 shows that in MIAB

location, hot water treatment at 600c depulped

recorded the highest CFG (21 seeds

germinated). In KUBI location, H2SO4

recorded highest CFG (34 seeds germinated),

while in MOJE location; hot water treatments

at 600c depulped recorded highest CFG (25

germinated). This also implies that a

combination of two or more PSTs such as

H2SO4 and hot water at 600c (warm water)

treatments could enhance and increase

chances of germination of Vitex doniana fruits.

This findings agrees with the finding of other

studies such as that of [8] in which it was

reported that in Coted’Ivoire, Vitex

donianaseeds were dipped in to Sulphuric acid

95% for 60 minutes and subsequently in warm

water for 72 hours (3 days) and germinated

after 26 days but the germination rate was

only 34%.

On the other hand, table 2 reveals that HN03

treatment recorded the lowest CFG across the

three locations-MIAB location (6 germinated),

KUBI location (15 germinated), MOJE location

(6 germinated); although CFG of hot water at

1000C depulped tally with HN03 treatment in

KUBI location (15 each). This denotes that a




combination of PSTs such as HN03 with hot

water at 1000C (boiling point) could be

destructive, reduce the chances of

germination or even impede the germination

of Vitex doniana fruits. The HN03 appears to be

destructive because of its high acidic nature

while hot water treatment at 1000C may be too

hot that it affected the viability of the fruit.

Considering CFG in totality for the three

locations, KUBI location recorded highest –

139 seeds germinated (23.1%) out of the 600

seeds planted, followed by MOJE location -

105 seeds germinated (17.5%) out of the 600

seeds planted while MIAB location has the

lowest -81 seeds germinated (13.5%) out of the

600 seeds planted. The grand total of the

germinated seeds was 325 (18.0%) out of the

1,800 seeds that were planted (Table 1). This is

generally low and there is need for a

combination of two or more PSTs in order to

enhance or achieve higher CFG.

Table 3 presented the chi-square test between

the two chemical treatments (H2S04 and

HNO3) rendered. The X2 =0.507 while the P-

value =0.776; which was greater than the level

of significance of 0.05. Therefore, since P-

value of 0.776 is greater than the level of

significance of 0.05 and conclusion drawn that

germination of seed in any location is

independent of the chemical treatment

rendered.

Similarly, table 4 revealed that by causing X2

=0.088 while P-value=0.957; since P-value of

0.957 is greater than the level of significance of

0.05. Consequently, the germination of seed in

any location is independent of the hot water

at 600C treatment, depulped or undepulped.

On the same note, table 5 shows the level of

significance between hot water treatments at

1000C for depulped and undepulped seeds.

From the table, X2 = 1.530 while P-value= 0.465

which is greater than the level of significance

of 0.05. It is on this note that H0 is retained and

conclusion drawn that the germination of

seed in any location is independent of the

water at 1000C treatment. The proximate

composition of Vitex doniana as presented in

figure 2 shows that Vitex doniana fruits pulp

reveals high moisture content (10.32%) in

comparison with (4.1%) reported from

Dialium guineense [13] and (8.99%) from

Diospyros mespilifomis [14] but the pulp shows

low moisture content in comparison with that

of Phoenix dectylifera (64.34%)[15]. The

Carbohydrate content of the fruits was reveals

average (55.86%) in comparison with other

wild fruits reported 77.21% [14] 65.00%[15]

79.01%[13] from D. mespiliformis, P.dectylifera

and D. guineense respectively. The crude

protein value of Vitex doniana pulp (7.39%)

was also promising. The fruits pulp contains

(3.15%) fibre which is useful for maintaining

bulk, motility and increasing intestinal

peristalsis by surface extension of the food in

the intestinal tract. Fibre is also necessary for

good health during food digestion, and also

have health-promoting properties as they

have been implicated in the lowering of

plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations

[16], diarrhea treatment and detoxification of

poisonous metals [17].

The elemental composition of the fruits pulp

showed the presence of interested elements in

varying quantities shown in (Figure 3).

Calcium reveals highest value22mg/g but the

values was low in comparison with 30.27mg/g

reported by [18]. Calcium is a very important

mineral and very essential in human diet. It

plays a role in the formation of bones and is

also essential for blood clotting and muscle

contraction [19]. Magnesium is a very

important micronutrient required for bone

formation, aids enzyme action and nerve

heart beat functions [20].The value of

magnesium 7.00mg/g reported in this

workwas lower than 90.07mg/g for

D.microcarpum pulp reported by[21]. The pulp

shows 15mg/g and 12mg/g for Sodium and




potassium respectively. Sodium and

potassium are involved in maintaining proper

acid-balance and in nerve transmission in the

body [22]. Sodium and Potassium also has

significant importance particularly to a

hypertension patient [23]. The values of

Manganese (Mn, 0.03mg/g), Zinc (Zn,

0.004mg/g), Chromium (Cr, 0.023mg/g)

Copper (Cu, 0.10mg/g) and Iron (Fe,

0.01mg/g) reported in this research work was

low but within safety limit. Pb was not

detected, hence it implies that the fruit is safe

for consumption.

CONCLUSION

It is inferred from this study that Vitex

doniana can be domesticated and cultivated to

serve for diverse purposes such as for

nutritional and income generation and by so

doing it’s conservation will be guaranteed.

Mechanical seed scarification, chemical (acid),

hot water treatments are some of the factors

that can significantly influence germination

percentage in seeds of Vitex doniana and

means through which it can be domesticated

and cultivated. Most importantly, from the

proximate and minerals analysis carried out,

Vitex doniana seed was rich source of

carbohydrate average protein content and also

the pulp contains some minerals, such us

Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium and potassium

within safety limit. It may be concluded that

elevation and proper consumption of these

fruits pulp, may help to improve the diet and

alleviate nutrient deficiencies.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Vulnerable indigenous and wild species that

are going extinct such as Vitex doniana need to

be domesticated and cultivated. To do this, a

combination of two or more PSTs needs to be

given to Vitex doniana seed in order to record

higher percentage germination. Hence, H2SO4

treatment coupled with warm water at 600c,

and further soaking in cold water for

minimum of 7 days is recommended.

REFERENCES

1. US National Academy of Sciences.

Under-exploited tropical plants with

promising economic value. Report of

ad-hoc panel of the Advisory

Committee on Technology Innovation.

1975;2p

2. Rao PU.Nutrient composition of some

less-familiar oil seeds. Food Chem.1994;

50:37982.

3. Vijayakumari K, Siddhuraju P.

Janardhanan K. Nutritional

assessment and chemical composition

of the lesser known tree legume,

Acacia leucophloea. Food Chem. 1994;

50:2858p.

4. Viano J. Masotti V, Gaydou EM,

Bourreil PJL, Ghiglione, Giraud M.

Compositional characteristics of 10

wild plant legumes from

Mediterranean French pastures. J

Agric Food Chem. 1995;43:680-3p

5. Van Etten CH, Kwolek WF, Peters JE,

Barclay AS. Plant seeds as protein

sources for food or feed. Evaluation

based on amino acid composition of

379 species. J. Agric Food Chem. 1967;

15(10):77-89p.

6. Janick J. Simon JE, eds. The new crop

era. Portland, Oreg, USA: Timber

Press, 1990.

7. Food and Agricultural Organization.

Food and Fruit Bearing Forest Species 1:

Examples from Eastern Africa. FAO

Forestry Paper. 1983; 44/1. Rome.

8. Louppe, D.Oteng-Amoako, A.A &

Brink, M. Vitex doniana Sweet.

(Internet) Record from Protabase.

PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical

Africa), Wageningen Netherlands.




http://database. prota org/search. htm

2008.

9. Olorode, O. Taxonomy of West

African Flowering Plants: Longman,

1983;USA.

10. Azhar, I.Chemical and Biology Studies

on some Medicinal Leguminosae,

Pakistan Research Repository

Produced by Department of

Pharmacognosy, University of

Karachi.1998.

11. Ruffo, C.K; Birnie, A. & Tengnas,

B.Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania.

Technical Vunchi. 2002.

12. AOAC. Official Methods of Analysis

(15th Edition). Helrich, K. ED.

Association of Official Analytical

Chemists. Washington DC. 1990;

43:068-069.

13. Adepoju, O.T. Proximate composition

and micronutrient potentials of three

locally available wild fruits in Nigeria.

Afr. J. Agric. Res. 2009; 4(9): 887-892p.

14. Ikechukwu E. Ezeagu, Cornelia C.

Metges, Jorgen Proll, Klaus J. Petzke,

and Akintunde O. Akinsoyinu.

Chemical composition and nutritive

value of some wild-gathered tropical

plant seeds. United nation university

publication. 1991.

15. Omowunmi Sola Agboola 1 and

2Ayoade Lateef Adejumo. Nutritional

Composition of the Fruit of the

Nigerian Wild Date Palm, Phoenix

dactylifera ,World Journal of Dairy &

Food Sciences. 2013; 8 (2): 196-200.

16. Behall, K. Chemistry and function of

protein. In: ACS system symposium

series, Ed. Fishman, M. L. and Jen, J.J.

Am. Chem. Soc. Washington DC. USA.

1986; 310:248-250.

17. Cohn, R. and Cohn, A. L. The by-

products of fruit process in fruit

processing. Ed. Arthey, D., Asthurst

PR, Chapman and Hall, London, UK.

1996; pp.196-220.

18. Vunchi, M.A., Umar, A.N., King,

M.A., Liman, A.A.,Jeremiah G. and

Aigbe, C. O. Proximate, Vitamins and

Mineral Composition of Vitex doniana

(black plum) Fruit Pulp. Nigerian

Journal of Basic and Applied Science,

2011; 9(1):97- 101

19. Wardlaw, G.M. and A.M. Smith.

Contemporary Nutrition. 5th Edn.,

McGraw and Hill, USA. 2006.

20. Witney, E. and S.R., Rolfes.

Understanding Nutrition. Thompson

Learning Inc., New York, USA. 2005

21. Lockeett, C.T., Calvert, C.C. and

Grivetti, L.E. Energy and

Cicronutrient Composition of Dietary

and Medicinal Wild Plants Consumed

During Drought: Study of Rural

Fulani. Northeasthern Nigeria. Inter. J.

Food Sci. Nutr. 2000; 51: 195 -208.

22. Adeyeye, E.I. Determination of the

Chemical Composition of the

Nutritionally Valuable Parts Male and

Female Common West African Fresh

Water Crab.Sudnanautes africanus. Int.

J. FoodSci. Nutr. 2002; 53: 189 -196.

23. Umar, M.A., King,A.N., Liman, M.A.,

Jeremiah G. and Aigbe, C. O.

Proximate, Vitamins and Mineral

Composition of Vitex doniana (black

plum) Fruit Pulp. Nigerian Journal of

Basic and Applied Science. 2011;19(1):97-

101