Muturi, Irene Kirigo (2013) Selected Antioxidant Vitamins and Essential Elements in Different Parts of Calodendrum Capense Nuts Grown in Nyeri County, Kenya. Masters thesis, Kenyatta University.
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Abstract
The skin is frontline in protection of internal organs against harm by the sun rays and hence it needs to be protected. Although sunlight is important for the synthesis of vitamin D, it has several negative effects to the skin such as erythema (sun bum), pre mature aging, weakening of the immune system and skin cancer. Free radicals generated by Ultra Violet radiations are responsible for pre-mature aging and skin cancer. Calodendrum capense nuts contain natural oil with an inherent UV protection and may contain antioxidant vitamins A and E and essential elements like copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) which are essential on skin application. Calodendrum capense nuts grow intensively in Nyeri County. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of antioxidant vitamins A and E and essential elements Cu, Mg, Mn, and Zn in Calodendrum capense nuts. Samples were obtained from Kabaru, Kiganjo and Muiga in Nyeri County. The vitamins in the nut cake oil and shell oil were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography while the nut meal (from extraction of oil from nut cake), nut shell, nut cake oil and shell oil were analyzed for the essential elements using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean levels of vitamin A in the nut cake oil ranged from 0.24±0.01-0.34±0.04 ug/ml and 5.92±0.08-7.30±0.13 ug/ml in the shell oil. The range of vitamin E in the nut cake oil was 390.0±10.0-12214.0±150.0 ug/ml vitamin E while that in the shell oil was 314.0±10.0- 12842.0±120.0 ug/ml vitamin E .There were significant differences in the levels of the vitamins in the nut cake oil and shell oil with the levels in the shell oil being significantly higher (p<O.05). The levels of essential elements in the nut cake oil ranged between 3.26±O.31-5.70±O.17 ug/ml Cu, 94.67±7.74-138.67±2.56 ug/ml Mg, 2.57±0.24-4.33±O.21 ug/ml Mn and 10.83±0.29-14.l7±0.43 ug/rnl Zn while that in the shell oil ranged between 3.70±O.l5-4.00±O.l4 ug/ml Cu, 32.67±2.28-39.33±3.0 ug/ml Mg, 3.63±0.33-9.27±O.60 ug/ml Mn and 8.5±0.26-9.47±O.96 ug/ml Zn, (p<O.05). The nut meal contained essential elements in levels ranging between 11.27±0.25-16.83±O.35 ug/g Cu, l036.67±27.63-1556±30.39 ug/g Mg, 3.80±O.35-6.57±O.88 ug/g Mn and 34.l7±O.64-37±1.32 ug/g Zn while those in the nut shells ranged between 10.10±O.76-33.03±3.00 ug/g Cu, 664.2±5.05-782.67±17.55 ug/g Mg, 24.90±1.43-33.13±1.57 ug/g Mn and 12.33±O.25-17.93±O.62 ug/g Zn, (p<O.05). There was a significant difference in the levels of essential elements in the nut cake oil and shell oil with the levels of magnesium being significantly higher. The nut meal and nut shells recorded significant differences in the levels of essential elements (P<0.05). While these levels of vitamins and essential elements studied are comparable to those in edible nuts, a conclusion is made that Calodendrum capense nuts are potential for production of antioxidants that are important for fighting free radicals thereby improving skin health.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QD Chemistry S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Tim Khabala |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Feb 2018 11:44 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Feb 2018 11:44 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/3310 |
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