Na/K ratio and Micronutrients in Carica papaya Seed: Potential Health Benefits and Effects of Solvents and Drying Techniques

Abstract

Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients needed by humans for healthy living. Despite their requirements in meagre amounts, they are important in ensuring normal functioning of the human body and prevention of certain diseases. The vitamin and mineral composition of Carica papaya seed were investigated using standard analytical techniques. Furthermore, the effect of different polarity of solvents and drying techniques on the quantity of the vitamins and minerals extracted from Carica papaya seed samples were investigated. The results showed that the samples were rich in vitamins A (with values ranging from 101 – 124 mg/100g  for all the extracts), B3 (1.152 – 1.496 mg/100g), C (13.45 – 18.97 mg/100g) and E (12.06 – 16.48 mg/100g) while calcium, sodium , potassium, and magnesium were also found in high quantities with Na/K ratio of 0.59.  The Na/K ratio was not affected by solvents or preparation techniques. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts had significantly high amounts of vitamins B and C while hexane extract has significantly higher amount of vitamin A (124 mg/100g) and ethanol had the highest amount of vitamin E (16.48 mg/100g).  Aqueous extract also had the highest amount of macro elements except magnesium while ethanol extracted the highest amount of zinc. Air -dried samples had significantly higher amount of vitamins and mineral contents than the sun - dried samples.  In conclusion, Carica papaya seed has abundant micronutrients and healthy sodium to potassium ratio (Na/K ratio) which was not affected by solvents and sample preparation techniques. Thus, indicating the nutritional, medicinal and nutraceutical potentials of the seed.