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A partial characterization was done of ebony (Pithecellobium flexicaule) seed physical properties, and how defatting affected some functional properties of ebony seed meal. Average seed dimensions were 13.02 mm length, 8.78 mm width and 9.65 mm thickness. Geometric diameter was 10.76 mm, volume was 530 mm(3), surface area was 364.33 mm(2), sphericity was 83.26 % and aspect ratio was 68.24 %. Thousand-seed weight was 0.70 Kg, of which 0.42 Kg (60 %) represented the kernel. Defatted ebony seed meal differed from whole meal in all measured parameters, particularly in its protein (44.72 g/100 g) and carbohydrates (44.12 g/100 g) proportions. The defatted meal had higher water absorption capacity (1.28 g/g sample), water solubility capacity (26.06 %), oil absorption capacity (2.04 g/g sample), emulsifying capacity (53.78 %) and gelling capacity (8 % w/v) than the whole meal. Ebony seed physical properties may prove useful in designing post-harvest processing equipment and in quality control. The high protein content of defatted ebony seed meal suggests its use as a natural alternative ingredient in numerous food industry applications.

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is a fruit of tropical and subtropical zones of the world, is an important source of phytochemicals (phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins). Several studies have associated phytochemicals with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The objective of this work was to analyze the polyphenolic content, the antioxidant and antifungal properties of jackfruit extracts on phytopathogenic fungi. Two phenolic extracts of jackfruit of different maturity level (J1-J2) were used. The total polyphenol content (TPC) was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and total flavonoids (TFC) by the aluminum chloride method, the free radical trapping potential was measured using FRAP and ORAC methods. The results showed a TPC of 844 and 1,178 mgEAG/100 g and TFC of 37 and 68 mgQE/100 g, of dry jackfruit, the antioxidant potential analysis by FRAP was 7,575 and 8,691, by ORAC was 13.369 and 14.728 µmol Trolox/100 g, of dry jackfruit for J1 and J2 respectively. Additionally, it was observed that the phenolic extracts of jackfruit reduced the mycelial growth of: Penicillium digitatum (20-14%), Geotrichum candidum (56-55%), Aspergillus niger (72-67%) and Botrytis cinerea (100%-100%) for J1 and J2 respectively. We conclude that regardless of the degree of maturity, jackfruit has antioxidant and antifungal properties on phytopathogens important in agriculture.