Tetrapleura tetraptera, claim to be beneficial for curing of human ailments. In this study, we determined phytochemicals, antioxidant and metal chelating capacity in the pulp, seeds and whole fruit (mixture of pulp and seeds) of T. tetraptera. Phytochemicals (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, steroids, saponins and phenols) were examined in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the pulp, seeds and whole fruit. The recovery of all compounds was satisfactory, in the range of 90%–108%. The screening test revealed the presence of many phytochemicals in either one or both extracts. After the qualitative analysis, UV-Spectrophotometer was used to quantify phenols, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids where higher phytochemical concentrations were recorded in the pulp followed by whole fruit and then the seeds. The metal chelating capacity was determined using EDTA standard, and was in the order of pulp>whole fruit>seeds. Also, the pulp was established to exhibit much antioxidant activity as compared to the whole fruit or seeds. This study therefore supports the use of T. tetraptera in traditional systems of medicine owing to its active chemical compounds, and has given many vital insights on which part of T. tetraptera fruit to consume as concentrations of these compounds varies in the pulp, seeds and whole fruit.

Tetrapleura tetraptera is widely cherished in African traditional homes because of its alleged therapeutic and nutritional properties. This present study aimed at determining the levels of vitamin A, C, E, and beta-carotene and trace element (Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, and Zn) concentrations and their extractabilities in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit (mixture of pulp and seeds) of T. tetraptera. The total trace element concentration of Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn and their extractabilities (%) were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS), whereas UV-VIS spectrophotometer was used to determine selenium concentration. The trace element content (mg/kg) based on dry weight in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit was Fe (162.00 ± 7.14, 115.00 ± 12.00, and 154.00 ± 25.20, respectively), Zn (31.60 ± 4.77, 43.40 ± 5.29, and 41.50 ± 8.97, respectively), Cu (16.10 ± 4.98, 11.90 ± 8.40, and 17.20 ± 14.50, respectively), Mn (55.30 ± 2.41, 156.00 ± 10.20, and 122.00 ± 5.29, respectively), Co (38.10 ± 6.40, 21.10 ± 7.15, and 44.00 ± 14.90, respectively), and Se (1.49 ± 0.17, 2.43 ± 0.28, and 2.97 ± 0.27 μg/g, respectively). The mineral extractabilities (%) in the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit of T. tetraptera were established to be in the order Co > Zn > Fe > Cu > Se > Mn. Also, the chromatographic method (HPLC) was used to evaluate vitamin E concentration, and vitamin C and concentration of beta-carotene were calculated from the obtained concentration of vitamin A using a conversion factor by the titrimetric method. From the results of vitamin analysis, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed among the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit for vitamin C and E. However, no significant difference (p>0.05) was perceived among these plant parts for vitamin A and beta-carotene. This study has therefore revealed that the pulp, seeds, and whole fruit of T. tetraptera contain varying concentrations of vitamins and trace elements and has given many vital insights on which part of T. tetraptera to consume, as concentrations of these nutrients differ in the discrete parts of the fruit.