Analysis of Nutrients, Total Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity of Gingerbread Plum (Neocarya Macrophylla ) Fruits from Sokoto

Ripe fruits of Gingerbread plum (Neocaryamacrophyll a) were evaluated for crude protein, minerals content, tota l polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The total polyphenols content of methanol extract was relatively high (670.82±0.21mg/100g garlic acid equ ivalent), the scavenging power of the extract was 56.87±4.11% and the crude protein content of the fruit pulp was 10.39±2.11% dry weight. The fruit pu lp also contained 12.80±2.98mg/100g Na, 180.02±3.99mg/100g K, 179.61± 7.58mg/100g P, 304.99±1.76mg/100g Ca, 821.56±2.77mg/100g Mg, 3.88± 1.14mg/100g Zn, 2.11±0.89mg/100g Fe and 0.89±0.21mg/100g Mn on dry weight basis. The results show that the fruit pulp is rich in essential mineral elements that have a positive effect on human health. The results also s upport the use of the fruit as supplement for nutrient deficiencies and for combat ing diseases associated with oxidative damage.