The processing of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) yields a considerable amount of bio-waste. Accumulation of this waste is considered a health risk because it is a potential source of air and water pollution. Recycling of the unutilized fruit parts, therefore, reduces the quantity and the impact of the bio-waste released to the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts from three fruit parts (peel, fiber and the core) of jackfruit sampled from the coastal region of Kenya. Different extraction techniques and solvents were tested. The highest phenolic and flavonoid content of the peels, fiber and the core were obtained from methanol extracts following a 48-hour incubation. The values were recorded at 17.07±5.16 mg/g, 23.28±4.73 mg/g, and 15.68±3.74 mg/g for the phenolics and 28.55±12.42 mg/g, 35.4±9.53 mg/g and 36.23±2.54 mg/g for the flavonoids, respectively. The highest tannin content was obtained from distilled water extracts following homogenization recorded at 10.82±2.63 mg/g, 10.39±4.10 mg/g and 10.52±1.05 mg/g for peels, fiber and core, respectively. The fiber extracts gave the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity followed by the core at 61.51±29.90% and 51.06±33.39%, respectively. The antioxidant activity was highest for methanol fiber extracts at 61.51±29.90% for DPPH radical scavenging activity and 7.94±4.56 mg/mL for reducing power assay. The best antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) was obtained from Ethyl acetate extracts showed. The unutilized jackfruit parts, therefore, are a potential source of natural antioxidants as well as antibacterial, for agriculture and food industry

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Publication View project Value addition to Dagaa "Omena" (Rastrineobola argentea) through recovery of fish protein hydrolysate with potential bioactive properties View project

The intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids especially omega-3 is projected to be way below the recommended intake in Kenya. Thus, there is need to find other sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This study screened for the lipid profile and levels of omega-3 PUFAs in jackfruit and explored the variation in lipid profile of jackfruit seeds in different areas and treatments. The extracted lipids were characterized and analysis done using gas chromatography. The lipid content was found to be 0.45 ± 0.24%, iodine number was 60.76 ± 3.25, saponification number was 353.65 ± 14.21, and levels of omega-3 and of omega-6 PUFAs were also found to be 9.94 ± 0.99% and 31.19 ± 0.82%, respectively. Boiling and drying of seeds were found to greatly decrease the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids such omega-3 and omega-6 and thus, not suitable methods for processing or preservation of jackfruit seeds.

The number of people affected by nutrition insecurity worldwide in 2016 was 815 million, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This has been attributed to starvation and overdependence on a few crops for nutritional needs. There is therefore need to find alternative nutrition sources. This study sought to determine the nutritional profile, mineral composition, phytochemical and antioxidant properties of Jackfruit seeds and pulps, collected from Original Research Article

No abstract