PROJECT CODE: 000006

DETERMINATION OF LYCOPENE, VITAMIN A, VITAMIN C, PHENOL,

FLAVONOID AND ANTIOXIDANT IN MUSA ACUMINATA (Colla),
CAPSICUM ANNUMM (Var. grossum L.), PERSEA AMERICANA (var.
guatemalensis L.) AND PRUNUS DULCIS (var. sativa. L)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Certification Dedication
Acknowledgement Table of Contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE
1.1
Background of the Study
1.2
Classification of Fruits
1.3
Aims and Objectives of Study
1.4
Statement of Problem 1.5
Significance of the Study
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
Lycopene
2.2
Vitamin A
2.3
Vitamin C
2.4
Flavonoids
2.5
Phenol 2.6
Anti-oxidants 2.7
Musa acuminata
2.8
Prunus dulcis 2.9
Persea americana
2.10
Capsicum annumm CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1
Determination of Total Antioxidant Capacity
3.2
Determination of Vitamin C 3.3
Determination of Flavonoids 3.4
Determination of Phenols
3.5
Determination of Lycopene -

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3.6
Determination of Vitamin A CHAPTER FOUR
Results CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1
Discussion
5.2
Conclusion 5.3
Recommendation
References
Appendix
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ABSTRACT
Fruits are important sources of vitamins, which are essential components of human
diet. This project is designed to investigate the identification and separation of
lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin C, phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant in Musa
acuminata, Capsicum annumm, Persea americana and Prunus dulcis. The results of
this study showed that Persea americana (pear) is high in vitamins C when
compared to the popular Citrus aurantifolia (Orange). Persea americana had the
highest value of 350mg/100g for Ascorbic acid; 0.13mg/100g for flavonoid and
322.88mg/100g for antioxidant. Capsicum annumm recorded 300mg/100g as the
second highest in vitamin C. Musa acuminata has the lowest values in ascorbic acid
(252mg/5g), phenol (32.3mg/1g) and total antioxidant capacity (321.55mg/5g).
From this study, it is recommended that fruits high in antioxidant properties should
be consumed to reduce senescence and improve human health status. Further
investigation is also required to isolate and characterize the individual components
from these plants which are actually responsible for their antioxidant activities and
develop their application for food and pharmaceutical industries.

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1

Background of the Study

Fruits are of great nutritional values. They are important sources of vitamins,

which carry essential components of human diet.

Fruits are important in human diet since they contain carbohydras, proteins,
as well as vitamins, minerals and trace elements (Akaneme, 2008). Regular intake
of fruits is indispensable for good health, fitness and feeling of well-being. In
addition, millions of people throughout the developing countries of the world were
reported to have inadequate food supply or nutrient deficiencies in their diets, which
led to problems due to starvation and malnutrition of various types (Tlili and
Lenucci, 2011). There has been an increase in the awareness on the food value of
fruits as a result of exposure to other cultures and acquiring proper food education
(Amusa, et al., 2003).

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Pepper (Capsicum annumm. var. bola), is one of the most varied and widely
used food in the world. There are a vast number of varieties of pepper and every
variety is indicated with the original language of the local cultures, which differs
from town to town and from region to region. For these reasons the classification of
pepper is not simple (Basher and Abu-Goukh, 2003). Nigeria is known to be one of
the major producers of pepper in the world accounting for about 50% of the African
production (Ureigho, 2010). The pepper grown in Nigeria is in high demand because
of its pungency and good flavour (Akbugwo and Ugbogu, 2007).
Pepper is a fruit is now recognized as rich sources of antioxidants, in which
vitamin A, C and Lycopene are some of the most abundant antioxidants identified
in them (ArvouetGrand et al., 2000; Badr-Sherif et al., 2011). Since the protective
roles of dietary, antioxidants cant be over-emphasized against multiple diseases
such as cancer, anaemia, diabetes, carbohydrates diseases, etc. these antioxidants
perform their functions by contracting the oxidizing activities of highly reactive
oxygen species thereby, preventing the oxidative modification of low density
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protein, nucleic acids, proteins, etc. (Briviba and Sies, 2000). Therefore, there have
been recent increases recorded in the demand in the consumption, particularly
among the urban community. This is due to the increased awareness on the food
value of fruits (e.g apple, pepper, banana, guava, pear and almond), especially as
antioxidants (Amusa, et al., 2003).
Epidemiological studies indicate a strong inverse correlation between the
consumption of fruits and the incidence of degenerative diseases. There is
considerable evidence for the role of antioxidant constituents of fruits in the
maintenance of health and prevention of diseases.
Phenolic compounds have the ability to prevent the oxidation of low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) owing to their antioxidant properties, attributable to the free
radical scavenging properties of their constituents hydroxyl groups. The inhibition
of low-density lipoprotein oxidation has been associated with a lower incidence of
coronary diseases. Among the several classes of plant phenolics, some have been
reported in pear fruits: phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanin (Burkill, 2003).
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1.2

Classification of Fruits
Fruits are classified into three main groups:

Simple Fruits: These are fruits containing one or more carpels they take roots from
a single ovary with or without accessory parts. E.g. Drupes, Nuts and Legumes.
Aggregate Fruits: These are fruits which one flower contains more than a few,
divided ovaries, which fuses together as it develops. E.g. Pineapple.
Multiple Fruits: These are fruits that consist of matured ovaries of several to many
flowers more or less united into a mass. Multiple fruits are almost invariably
accessory fruits. E.g. Blackberry, Raspberry and Strawberry.
1.3

Aims and Objectives of Study

The aim and objective of this study was to investigate the content of vitamin

C, vitamin A, phenol, flavonoids, lycopene and antioxidant properties of some fruits

collected from small market, Abraka.
The sampled fruits were Banana (Musa acuminata), Pepper (Capsicum
annumm), Pear (Persea americana) and Almond (Prunus dulcis).
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1.4

Statement of Problem
1.

The demand on lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin C, Phenol, Flavonoid and

Antioxidant have increased significantly, with increased of consumer
awareness about cancer.

1.5

Significance of the Study

This research will be useful in creating awareness of vitamin A, Vitamin C,

phenol, flavonoids, lycopene and total antioxidant properties in fruits used as food
e.g. Banana, Pepper, Pear and Almond that can inhibit the chain reaction caused by
free radicals which is responsible for many diseases in human body.

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