Proximate, Mineral and Fatty Acid Composition of Gravy Prepared from Palm Bunch Ash (Ngu)

Background and Objective: Palm bunch ash is one of the fruit bunch products of palm trees. Palm bunch ash can be obtained by burning the solid waste of palm bunch refuse. The study investigated the proximate, minerals and fatty acid composition of palm bunch ash and the gravy prepared from it. Materials and Methods: The samples (Ash 1 and Ash 2) were collected from Isiala Mbano in Imo State and the Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University respectively. Proximate composition and mineral concentration were determined using standard methods, and fatty acid composition was determined by using gas chromatography. Results: The findings from the result showed that ash content was highest for both Ash 1 (60.9%) and Ash 2 (79.3%). For the mineral concentration (mg/100 g), potassium had the highest concentration in Ash 2 (20719.94) than Ash 1 (11155.21). Calcium, magnesium, and zinc were in the range of 905.56-3051.82, 198.05-939.24, and 13.13-50.48 mg/100 g, respectively. For the fatty acid composition, the fatty acid with the highest concentration present in the palm bunch ash mixed with gravy was palmitic acid for both of the palm bunch ash samples. Saturated fatty acid was also found present in the palm bunch ash which are arachidic, decanoic, and stearic acid. Also present in the palm bunch ash were the unsaturated fatty acids which were linoleic, linolenic, and eicosadienoic acids. Conclusion: The study concludes that palm bunch ash contains some essential minerals and when combined with the gravy, some saturated and unsaturated fatty acids could be supplemented in animal feed.