EFFECT OF AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES ON THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SHEA LATEX (VITELLARIA PARADOXA L.)

Abstract

Shea latex was tapped from different trees from cultivated and fallow fields at Yagaba, Nyankpala in the Northern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological zone and Kawampe in the Transitional Agro-ecological zone of Ghana. Generally, agro-ecological zones and land use did not influence the quality of the proximate composition of the Shea latex. Proximate composition of the Shea latex did not differ with land use and agro-ecological zone. Crude fat, moisture content and ash content although were slightly higher in cultivated fields were not affected by land use and location. However, crude protein level in latex was significantly higher at Yagaba and significantly lower in cultivated fields.