Nutrient composition, phytochemical constituents and invitro antioxidant activity of fruit seed powder

Background: Tomato, Grape fruit, Pink guava and Watermelon as a well known promising source of multiple beneficial nutrients for human beings. Processing of fruits by-products potentially represents a rich source of phenolic compounds. Fruit seeds which are generally discarded as waste in the environment, can act as potential nutraceutical resources. Due to their low cost and easy availability such wastes are capable of offering significant low-cost nutritional dietary supplements. The utilization of these bioactive rich fruit seeds can provide an efficient, inexpensive, and environment friendly platform for the production of novel nutraceuticals or for the improvement of older ones. This study summarized the potential components present in fruit seeds, which generally discarded as waste. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to carry out the drying process in seed (Tomato, Grapes, Watermelon and Pink Guava); to determine the nutrient composition of fruit seed powder: to analyze the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis: and to find out the antioxidant activity of the seed powder. Materials and Methods: Seeds were separated and placed in trays and kept in cabinet dryer and the temperature was maintained at 600 for 7 hours. After the heat treatment ground in to a coarse powder and stored in a well closed container free from environmental climatic changes till usage. Nutrient Composition of the seed powder was analyzed by standard procedures. Phytochemical such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, saponin, tannin, terpenoids, quinons, phlobatannins and steroids were analysed. Quantitative phytochemical test such as Alkaloids, Flavonoids and Total Phenol were done. UV spectrometry was used to do Lycopene analysis. DPPH method was used to find the antioxidant activity. Results and Discussion: Watermelon seed (68.57) and Grape seed (68.57) having high flavanoid. When compared with other fruit seed powder watermelon seed powder contains the high nutrient composition (Moisture 3.56 %, Ash 6.0 g, Protein 35.27g, Fat 23.89 g, Vitamin- A 85.0 mg, Vitamin- C 8.80 mg, Iron 5.04 mg , Calcium 57.0 mg) except carbohydrate (46.59 g) and Crude Fibre (10.1 g).