Nutrient composition of Nigerian palm kernel from the dura and tenera varieties of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

The dura and tenera varieties of the oil palm from Calaro Oil Palm Estate, Akamkpa in Cross River State, Nigeria and NIFOR Experimental Oil Palm Station, Abak in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were studied to evaluate their proximate, mineral, toxicant and fatty acid compositions. These parameters were determined for both undefatted and defatted samples. The defatted samples had higher nutrient levels than the undefatted ones. The dura variety had a higher moisture content than the tenera in both locations. Antinutrients, such as hydrocyanic acid and total oxalate, were also higher in the dura variety than the tenera. The mineral analysis of the samples showed high levels of magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. The tenera variety showed higher values of most of these minerals than the dura in both of the locations. Palm kernel therefore appears to be a good source of these mineral elements. Phytate and lead were not detected in any of the samples. The fatty acid profile indicated lauric (C 12:0), oleic (C 18:1) and palmitic (C 16:0) to be the major constituent fatty acids of the palm kernel oil samples. There were no significant differences in fatty acid composition between the varieties or locations.