摘要：Tetrapleura.Tetraptera, one of the indigenous fruit specie has served as food and traditional medicine in the management of human ailments. However, knowledge of its active component is scanty. This study investigated the nutritive and medicinal importance of the fruits in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. Ten fruits of tetrapleura tetraptera obtained from Oje market in lbadan, Oyo state were analyzed for phytochemical, proximate, mineral and vitamin composition using standard instrumentation techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Phytochemical composition values (%) in the fruits were saponin (16.33-17.78), alkaloids (1.88-2.22), tannins (0.16-0.25), phenols (0.04 -0.13) and sterols (0.06-0.12). The proximate composition (%) values were protein (5.61-6.69), moisture (5.06-8.22), fat (11.19-24.71), carbohydrate (58.48-63.86), ash (2.65-4.02) and fiber (3.14-4.11). Mineral composition (mg/100g)) values in the fruits were Manganese (322.00-342.00), potassium (251.22-288.62), calcium (182.11-200.02), magnesium (92.56-98.66), sodium (19.95-26.80), phosphorus (36.22-43.11), iron (16.11-18.22), zinc (10.75-16.24) and cu (8.22-10.11) while vitamin composition values (%) were vitamin A (3.22-4.69), vitamin E (2.66-3.69), vitamin C (0.88-1.20), niacin (0.11-0.12), thiamine (0.01-0.04) and riboflavin (0.01-0.03).The appreciable saponins content in T. tetraptera fruits contribute to medicinal usage of the studied plant while low values of tannin content suggest the nutritional values of this plant. Thus, the presence of naturally occurring compounds (phytochemicals) is largely responsible for the protective health benefits of the fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera.. The higher ash content in the fruits indicate the presence of high mineral contents while the appreciable amount of the vitamins in the fruits suggest their antioxidant functioning.This study showed that T. tetraptera fruits have ability for secondary metabolites, nutrient supply and medicinal constituents.
