Some antinutrient compositions and in vitro antioxidant properties of milled Carica papaya (pawpaw) peels and seeds

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This study evaluated some antinutrient compositions and antioxidant properties of milled Carica papaya peels and seeds, using standard methods. The result revealed the preponderance of phenol in the Carica papaya peels (184.72± 0.02 mg/100 g) which was higher than the other determined antinutrients in the peels and seeds. This was followed by oxalates in the peels (28.81±0.15 %), phenols in the seeds (28.32±0.02 mg/100 g) and oxalates in the seeds (11.08±0.17 %) while the least of the determined antinutrients was hydrogen cyanide in the peels (0.15±0.20 µg/g). The 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability of the Carica papaya peels (48.03 ± 0.69 %) was higher than that of the seeds (43.70±0.78 %) while the chelating ability of the peels (27.83 ± 0.81 %) and the reducing ability of the peels (36.24 ± 0.23 %) were lower than that of the seeds (32.60±1.21 % and 52.33±0.34 %, respectively). The difference between the Carica papaya peels and seeds for the determined parameters, apart from that of flavonoids, phytates and saponins, was significant (p<0.05). Thus, the study revealed that the Carica papaya peels and seeds contain varied anti-nutrients with varied and sample specific antioxidant properties. Further studies, including the determination of the other antioxidant compounds in and the concerted antioxidant capacity of the Carica papaya peels and seeds are warranted and recommended.