Antioxidant Contents in the Pulp of Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) Fruits: The Influence of the Geopolitical Zones of Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The accumulation of bioactive compounds in plants is influenced by environmental and geographical factors, which may affect their nutritional and health-promoting properties. This study evaluated the influence of geopolitical location on the antioxidant composition of Vitellaria paradoxa fruit pulp collected from the three geopolitical zones of Niger State, Nigeria. Fresh fruits were collected from three Local Government Areas within each zone: Zone A (Mokwa, Bida, and Lapai), Zone B (Suleja, Kuta, and Paiko), and Zone C (Kontagora, Wushishi, and New Bussa). The concentrations of flavonoids, phenolics, carotenoids, β-carotene, chlorophyll, lycopene, and tocopherol were determined using spectrophotometric methods, while ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was analysed by titrimetry.The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) variations in antioxidant concentrations among the three zones. Carotenoid, chlorophyll, lycopene, and phenol contents were highest in Zone A (4938.07 ± 128.80 mg/g, 2.68 ± 1.45 mg/g, 803.03 ± 193.39 mg/g, and 220.37 ± 109.13 mg/100 g, respectively), followed by Zone B and lowest in Zone C (666.75 ± 208.74 mg/g, 0.72 ± 0.08 mg/g, 86.59 ± 6.69 mg/g, and 50.65 ± 12.38 mg/100 g, respectively). Flavonoid concentration was also significantly higher in Zone A (74.25 ± 42.74 mg/100 g) than in Zones B (58.53 ± 20.32 mg/100 g) and C (42.72 ± 2.09 mg/100 g). In contrast, vitamin C, tocopherol, and β-carotene concentrations were highest in Zone C (63.35 ± 2.32 mg/100 g, 4.13 ± 2.25 µg/100 g, and 2099.26 ± 1205.73 µg/100 g, respectively), followed by Zone B and lowest in Zone A.The study demonstrates that geographical location significantly influences the accumulation of antioxidants in V. paradoxa fruit pulp. Fruits from Zones A and B generally exhibited higher concentrations of carotenoids, chlorophyll, lycopene, phenolics, and flavonoids, whereas fruits from Zone C contained higher levels of vitamin C, tocopherol, and β-carotene. These findings provide valuable information on the nutritional quality of shea fruit pulp and highlight the role of environmental factors in determining its antioxidant composition.