1.1 Introduction
The mango is a juicy stone fruit belonging to the genus mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees cultivated mostly for edible fruit. The majority of these species ate found in nature as wild mangoes. The all belong to the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to south and south east Asia, from where it has been distributed worldwide to become one of the most cultivated fruits in the tropics (Pundit et al., 2006). It is the national fruit of India, Pakistan and the Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh - mango trees grow up 35 - 40m (115 - 131) tall, with a crown radius of 10m (33ft). The trees are long - lived, as some specimens still fruit after 300 years indeep soul, the taproot descend to a depth of 6m (20ft). with profuse, wide - spreading feeder roots; the tree also sends down many anchor root which penetrate several feet of soil.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Mango has anti malaria effect (Tsabang et al., 2011) and was found to display in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum (Rasoanaivo et al., 2004). Methanol extract of M. indica seeds was done against 61 bacterial strains. The extract showed potent antibacterial activity against all strains tested (Vaghasiya et al., 2011). The leaves of M. indica have been reported to possess antibacterial activity against E. coli and other bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae and the bioactive component mangiferin which was isolated from M. indica was reported to possess remarkable anti-influenza activity (Doughari et al., 2008).
The leaves are evergreen, alternate simple 15 - 35cm (5.9 - 13.8in) long, and 6 - 16cm (2.4 - 6in) broad. When the leaves, are young they are orange - pink, rapidly changing to a dark, glossy red, then dark green as the mature. The flowers are produced in terminal panicles 10 - 4cm (3.9 - 15.7in) long; each flower is small and white with five petals 5 - 10nm (0.20 - 0.39in) long with a mild, sweet odor suggestive of lily of the valley. Over 400 varieties of mangoes are known the fruit s grow at the end of a long, string like stem (the former panicle) with some time two or more fruits to a tem. The fruit are 2 to 9 inches long and may be kidney shaped, ovate or (rarely) round (Pandit et al., 2006). They range in size from 8 ounces to around 24 ounces.
The flower scar at the apex is permanent, in some cultivars bulging from the fruit. The leathery skin is waxy and smooth and when ripe entirely pale green or green or yellow marked with red, according to cultivar. It is inedible and contains a sap that is irritating to some people. The flesh of a mango is peach like and juicy, with more or less numerous fibers radiating from the husk of the single large kidney - shaped seed fibers are more pronounced in fruits grown with hard water and chemical fertilizers (Kulkarni et al., 2012).
The flavor is pleasant and rich high in sugars and acid. The seed may either have single embryo, producing one seedling or poly embryonic, producing several seedlings that are identical but not always true to the parent type. It is impossible to distinguished true - to - type from zygotic seedlings from the same fruit. Some seedling produce numerous tiny purthenocapic fruits which fail to develop and abort. Mango trees tend to be alternate bearing mango is considered the undisputed and uncrowned king of all fruits mango is found all over India and many regions of the world mango taste is sweet and little sour and is very nourishing mango is mentioned in ancient scripts for its great nutritive value. Raw mango is sour and stringent ripe mango is extremely testy and nutritive.
According to Hakeem Hashm, reputed Unani physician, a normal size mango is more nourishing for the human body then butter or almonds. It strengthens and invigorates all the nerves tissues, muscles in the brain, heart and other parts of the body. It cleans the body of the fifth within and is also ideal antidote for all toxic effects inside the body. Mango also provides sufficient resistance to fight any gems and afflictor every part of mango tree root stems barks the blossoms; raw and ripe mango and seeds all have curative and medicinal properties.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Estimation of Mineral Contents of Mango Fruit.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that mango stem-bark aqueous extract has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immune protective effects (Ojewole, 2005). A number of biological activities of mangiferin have been suggested, including anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory abilities (Vyas et al., 2012).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to estimate the mineral content of mango fruit. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the mineral concentration of mango fruits.
- To ascertain the different level of mineral concentration in mango fruits.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the mineral concentration of mango fruits?
- What are the different levels of mineral concentration in mango fruits?
1.6 Significance of Study
The information gathered from this research will help to know mineral element present in the sample. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
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