Investigation of Mineral Composition, Proximate Constituents, Anti-Nutritional Factor, Antimicrobial Activities and Phytochemical Screening of Aqueous Extract of Tamarindus indica Seed

Abstract

This study investigated the nutritional composition, mineral content, phytochemical constituents, anti-nutritional factors, and antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of Tamarindus indica seed. Proximate analysis revealed high levels of crude protein (30.75 ± 3.11%), crude fat (29.23 ± 0.12%), and carbohydrate (25.21 ± 0.02%), indicating the seed's potential as a nutrient-dense food component. The moisture content was 13.00 ± 2.01%, ash content was 5.07 ± 2.03%, and the crude fiber was 9.73 ± 1.05%. Mineral analysis showed potassium as the most abundant mineral (60.13 mg/kg), followed by sodium (26.00 mg/kg), magnesium (4.22 mg/kg), calcium (3.60 mg/kg), and iron (3.10 mg/kg), with trace levels of manganese and zinc. Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides, and saponins. Quantitative analysis indicated high levels of flavonoids (173.53 mg/kg), phenolics (95.88 mg/kg), saponins (22.88 mg/kg), and alkaloids (12.02 mg/kg). Anti-nutritional assessment showed tannins (170.00 ± 4.23 mg/100 g), oxalates (85.86 ± 6.32 mg/100 g), phytates (37.40 ± 2.32 mg/100 g), and saponins (30.23 ± 3.20 mg/100 g), all within acceptable safety margins. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method, with the highest inhibition observed against E. coli (6 mm at 100 mg/mL). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) tests confirmed inhibition of E. coli and Staphylococcus at concentrations down to 50 mg/mL, and Salmonella at 75 mg/mL.These findings validate the nutritional and ethnomedicinal potential of Tamarindus indica seeds and support their use as a functional food ingredient and antimicrobial agent. Further studies are recommended to assess the bioavailability and in vivo efficacy of these bioactive compounds.