Physico-chemical, functional and pasting characteristics of flour produced from Jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seeds.

The search for lesser known and underutilized crops, many of which are potentially valuable as human and animal foods has been the focus for research in recent years. The aim of this study is to determine the physico-chemical and functional properties of jackfruit seed flour. The fruits were cut, the seeds removed, sliced, dried at 60 °C for 24 hrs, milled using hammer mill to pass through a 250 μm sieve, packaged in polyethelyne bag and kept in a refrigerator (~ 4 °C). The moisture content of the jackfruit seed flour was 6.09 %. The ash and fat contents (dry matter basis) were 2.70 % and 1.27 % respectively. The protein content, fibre content and carbohydrate content were 13.50 %, 3.19 % and 79.34 % respectively. The caloric value obtained was 382.79 kcal/100g. The Jackfruit seed flour contains an appreciable value of calcium (3087 mg/kg), Iron (130.74 mg/kg), potassium (14781 mg/kg), sodium (60.66 mg/kg), copper (10.45 mg/kg) and manganese (1.12 mg/kg). The pH and titratable acidity values were 5.78 and 1.12 % (as lactic acid) respectively. High water absorption capacity (25 %), fat absorption capacity (17.0 %) and bulk density (0.80 g/cm) were recorded for the jackfruit seed flour. The values for swelling power, foam capacity and foam stability were 4.77, 25.34 % and 33 % respectively. The flour produced may be use as thickening and binding agent in food systems.