Asian Journal of Research in Biology

Capsicum annuum L. is widely cultivated and consumed as food in Nigeria and is also used for medicinal purposes. This study evaluated the proximate composition, selected mineral elements, vitamin content, and anti-nutritional and flavonoid contents of the fruits. Fresh fruits obtained in Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria, were identified, dried at room temperature, milled, and analysed using standard analytical procedures. Selected minerals were determined by the reported titrimetric and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric methods, while proximate, vitamin, and anti-nutritional constituents were determined using the procedures described in the manuscript. Proximate analysis showed moisture of 36.00 ± 1.00%, crude fibre of 24.00 ± 1.00%, carbohydrate of 15.03 ± 2.84%, crude protein of 12.96 ± 1.38%, crude fat of 6.67 ± 1.44%, and ash of 5.17 ± 0.29%. Manganese had the highest concentration among the selected minerals at 51.00 ± 0.18 ppm, followed by magnesium at 15.27 ± 0.15 ppm, zinc at 14.93 ± 0.12 ppm, and calcium at 4.23 ± 0.15 ppm. Vitamin C was 22.89 ± 0.52 mg/100 g, vitamin A was 20.91 ± 0.35 mg/100 g, and vitamin E was 11.60 ± 0.90 mg/100 g. Phytate and oxalate were 4.76 ± 0.59% and 1.83 ± 0.21%, respectively, while flavonoids were 39.56 ± 0.77%. The findings show that the analysed fruits contain measurable nutrients, selected minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, and anti-nutritional constituents. Their nutritional value should therefore be considered together with the presence of phytate and oxalate.