Assessments of phytochemical and nutritional compositions of Carica papaya seeds, Citrullus lanatus seeds, and Syzygiumaromaticum buds

Abstract

Plant-derived bioactive compounds have recently attracted considerable interest due to their nutritional and possible medicinal benefits. This study investigated the phytochemical and nutritional composition of Carica papaya seeds, Citrullus lanatus seeds, and Syzygiumaromaticum buds. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses revealed distinct profiles: papaya seeds exhibited exceptionally high phenolic content (62.33±2.33) and alkaloids (45.80±0.00); watermelon seeds contained remarkable flavonoid concentrations (32.91±0.01); and clove buds were rich in tannins (14.37±3.37) and eugenol (35.05±0.00). Proximate analysis showed watermelon seeds possessed the highest protein (17.70±0.80%) and lipid content (46.65±0.25%), while papaya seeds contained the highest fibre (21.15±0.25%) and ash content (8.83±0.08%). Mineral analysis demonstrated clove buds were superior sources of calcium (116.25±3.25), magnesium (185.85±0.05), manganese (22.32±0.00), iron (9.45±0.00), potassium (120.11±1.21), and sodium (61.48±0.08). Watermelon seeds excelled in zinc content (5.18±0.98), while papaya seeds contained the highest phosphorus (218.35±2.35) and copper (0.97±0.02) levels. These findings suggest these plant materials possess complementary nutritional profiles with potential applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals targeting specific health conditions or nutrient deficiencies.