Effect Of Processing On The Nutrient And Phytochemical Composition Of Treiculia Africana (African Breadfruit).

ABSTRACT

The African breadfruit (Treculia Africana) is one of the edible woody plants grown in compound farms, near homesteads and around outlying fields. It also grows in tropical rain forests and widely known for its large fruit heads which yield edible seeds. In Nigeria, it is very common in the Western and Eastern states especially Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi. It is an unbuttressed large tree between 24-40 meters high with fluted bole and approximately 3 meters in girth. The bark of the tree is smooth and on slashing exudes abundant latex. On the trunk and larger branches are abundant fruits which contain ellipsoidal brown seeds about 1.27cm long. These seeds when extracted have been found to be highly nutritious when adequately processed (Ejiofor, 1998; Okafor, 1988).