Abstract

The current study evaluated the different drying methods used for Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. fruit pulp whether traditional like sun dried and oven-dried as well as modern dried method and expressed their influences on the phytochemical by products. Canarium schweinfurthii is a species of rainforest of Nigeria whose fruits are intensively gathered and eaten due to its medicinal values. It is critically endangered due to poor seed germinability and limited usage. Phytochemical compositions were measured as protein, fat, ash, fiber and carbohydrate contents. Moisture content was determined in presence of other moisture parameters that influenced on chemical composition of fruit pulp like relative humidity and moisture isotherm for each primary metabolite. Moisture isotherm have also been applied to understand the physiological processes occurring in viable seeds and how medicinal metabolite properties differ. Correlation and analysis of variance analysis calculated the degree of significant and computability based on simple linear regressions. Thermal phytochemical denaturation curve was established against anti-sickling analgesic markers of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. fruit pulp; epielemadienolic acid, 3 beta-fluorotirucalla-7, 24-dien-21-oic acid and 3α-hydroxytirucalla-8, 24-dien-21-oic acid. There was a degree of improvement in measuring chemical composition of fruit pulp as carbohydrates and fats were moderate in content besides increasing in conductivity and capacitance by using modern drying methods that reflected the enhancing of active molecules with the medicinal values. This investigation confirmed on the important modern technique that should be followed for drying fruits and seeds to keep their medicinal values and viability especially for endangered plant species and much more consumed ones.