Bio 104 SP FINAL 
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The use of plants for remedies has long been in existence and is among the most attractive sources for developing drugs (Bukantis et al., 1980). Any part of plant can be considered as herbs including leaves roots, flower, seeds, resins, leaf sheath, bark, inner bark (cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portion (Holetz et al., 2002). Most primates depend heavily on the leaves, fruits, and flowers of tropical plants to meet their nutritional demands (Fashing et al., 2007; Milton, 1979; Rothman et al., 2011). As a result, the chemical composition of these plant parts is critical to understanding primate ecology and evolution. These ancient indigenous practices were discovered by series of ‘trial and error’ which then could not be substantiated by proven scientific theories (Holetz et al., 2002).
The Calabash tree, scientifically known as Crescentia cujete (C. cujete) has been used by indigenous system of medicine to treat several illnesses. The pulp of fruit has medicinal properties and acts as remedy for respiratory problems such as asthma and cough. The leaves are used to reduce blood pressure. The decoction of tree bark is used to clean wounds and also to treat hematomas and tumors. Because of this, Calabash tree is considered to be a miracle fruit. (Elejuno et. al., 2011)
The calabash (C. cujete) fruit was studied for its chemical constituents- proximate and mineral composition as well as phytochemical properties. The value of the fat, protein, nitrogen, crude fibre, moisture content, sucrose, fructose, galactose and energy content are quite high viz; 1.13, 8.35, 1.34, 4.28, 84.92, 59.86, 25.09, 18.24 and 88.69%, respectively. The pH of the fruit falls within the acidic range (4.80) and the mean value recorded for the electrical conductivity was 163.24 μS/cm. The content mineral elements in the fruit show that sodium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc and copper have high mean concentrations,
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The use of plants for remedies has long been in existence and is among the most attractive sources for developing drugs (Bukantis et al., 1980). Any part of plant can be considered as herbs including leaves roots, flower, seeds, resins, leaf sheath, bark, inner bark (cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portion (Holetz et al., 2002). Most primates depend heavily on the leaves, fruits, and flowers of tropical plants to meet their nutritional demands (Fashing et al., 2007; Milton, 1979; Rothman et al., 2011). As a result, the chemical composition of these plant parts is critical to understanding primate ecology and evolution. These ancient indigenous practices were discovered by series of ‘trial and error’ which then could not be substantiated by proven scientific theories (Holetz et al., 2002).
The Calabash tree, scientifically known as Crescentia cujete (C. cujete) has been used by indigenous system of medicine to treat several illnesses. The pulp of fruit has medicinal properties and acts as remedy for respiratory problems such as asthma and cough. The leaves are used to reduce blood pressure. The decoction of tree bark is used to clean wounds and also to treat hematomas and tumors. Because of this, Calabash tree is considered to be a miracle fruit. (Elejuno et. al., 2011)
The calabash (C. cujete) fruit was studied for its chemical constituents- proximate and mineral composition as well as phytochemical properties. The value of the fat, protein, nitrogen, crude fibre, moisture content, sucrose, fructose, galactose and energy content are quite high viz; 1.13, 8.35, 1.34, 4.28, 84.92, 59.86, 25.09, 18.24 and 88.69%, respectively. The pH of the fruit falls within the acidic range (4.80) and the mean value recorded for the electrical conductivity was 163.24 μS/cm. The content mineral elements in the fruit show that sodium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc and copper have high mean concentrations,
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