The Nigerian hog plum (Spondias mombin) seed kernel was studied for its possible antioxidative
potential and its proximate and nutrient compositions measured. The fruits were
submitted to washing, pulp removal and drying to facilitate fibre separation from the seed
kernel. Seeds were Milled to obtain samples, while analysis was carried out using standard
Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) methods and phytochemical assays. The seed
kernel contains carbohydrate (40.56%), ash (8.09%), crude fibre (31.86%), moisture content
(8.48%), crude protein (7.73%), crude fat (3.28%), calcium (1317 mg/kg), iron (839.08 mg/
kg), magnesium (494.71 mg/kg), manganese (17.93 mg/kg), zinc (15.27 mg/kg), and copper
(7.68 mg/kg). Phytochemical analyses indicated the presence of tannins (0.06%) and phytate
(0.0022%), but did not indicate the presence of flavonoids, oxalate and saponins. The free
radical scavenging activity against the 2, 2–diphenyl–1–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
was at the level of 15.09%, while total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were
856.7±5.84 mgAAE/100g and 573.32±11.5 mgGAE/100g respectively. The seed kernel of
Spondias mombin is a potential source of nutritious food, good anti-anaemic and anti-diabetic
agent as a result of iron and zinc content, and potential chemo-protective agent with the ability
to offer possible protection against the activities of the toxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
from the results of total phenolic content, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.