The Studies of Fresh Weight and Nutrition Composition of Palmyra Palm (Borassusfl flabellifer L.) Haustorium at the Different Incubation Period

Abstract

The studies of fresh weight and nutrition composition from Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer L.) haustorium after cutting cotyledonary petiole at the length of 9-12 inches followed by incubation for 0 month to 4 months were performed at Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Province , during June-September 2013. The results showed that the fresh weight increased when the incubation period had extended. 0 month incubation resulted in the lowest fresh weight (7.19 g) and the highest fresh weight (22.06 g) were observed at 4 month incubation, whereas no significant at 1-3 month incubation. (14.50 g - 19.84 g). The nutritional value of carbohydrate, lipid, protein, fiber, ash and moisture content evaluated on the dry powder of haustorium were 76.05, 0.31, 7.22, 5.03, 5.15 and 6.25%, respectively. The study of mineral contents were found that calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium iron and zinc had 24.73, 171.43, 164.22, 1,833.19, 4.24 and 0.63 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively. In addition, the level of potassium was high up to 83.27% when compared to other mineral.