PHYSICO-CHEMICAL TRAITS OF VITELLARIA PARADOXA (SHEA) VARIETIES BASED ON INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

The shea tree is an indigenous fruit tree distributed in the shea parklands of Africa. Some shea varieties were identified in the Zoolanyili community. A total of six (6) indigenous varieties were identified: four (4) were based on kernel size whilst two (2) were based on sugar content of the pulp. The study evaluated if there were varietal differences in the shea kernel sizes and the sugar content of their pulps in order to ascertain if these varieties had any effects on fat/oil content, free fatty acids, moisture contents of shea kernel and the extracted shea butter, ash and fibre contents of the shea kernel. The study also ascertained if the shea butter could be graded or serves different purposes based on set standards. Statistically there was significant difference between the shea kernel sizes and sugar content of their pulps. There was no significant difference between the moisture contents of the shea kernel arid the extracted shea butter in these indigenous varieties. There was significant difference between the fat/oil content, and the free fatty acids. There was also significant difference between the ash and fibre content of the kernels based shea kernel sizes but no significant difference between the ash content of the varieties based on sugar content of pulp. There was also significant difference in the fibre contents of the varieties based 'on sugar content of pulp. Variety 6 fell grade three and may serve the soap making industry. The varieties based on shea kernel sizes fell in grade three and may serve the soap-making industry based on free fatty acid. Varieties 5 and 6 were grade one shea butters and may serve the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is recommended that fatty acid analysis be done on the butters of these shea varieties.