Chemical composition of papaya (Carica papaya) seeds

Abstract

Defatted and undefatted seeds of papaya (Carica papaya) were analyzed for proximate composition, some toxicants, sugar composition, mineral content, physico-chemical properties of the seed oil and the fatty acid spectrum of the seed oil. The seed is a rich source of proteins (27·8% undefatted, 44·4% defatted), lipids (28·3% undefatted) and crude fibre (22·6% undefatted, 31·8% defatted). Of the toxicants estimated, glucosinolates occur in the highest proportion. The seed is low in free monosaccharides. Sucrose is the predominant sugar (75·0% of total sugars). Mineral content is generally low. However, Ca and P occur in appreciable quantities (17 340 μg/g and 10 250 μ/g, respectively). The seed oil is low in iodine value (74·8), free fatty acids (0·94%) and carotene (0·02 μg/g). The major fatty acid is C18:1 (79·1%). © 1986.