ABSTRACT
The main objective of this study was to determine and compare the nutritional quality of freshly harvested Pawpaw in day 1,3 and 5. The pawpaw tree can grow to a height of 8 to 10m tall. Papaya holds a significant place among fruits due to its abundance in vitamin A, C, B1, B2, thiamine, folate, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, iron, and fiber and it is recognized as one of the widely consumed fruits by humans, offering a favorable cost-benefit ratio considering its nutritional value. pawpaw leaf extract revealed its anticancer properties, demonstrating the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Protein enzymes like papain and chymopapain, along with antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene present in papaya, alleviate the severity of conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Utilizing papaya leaves for malaria treatment is attributed to the presence of various alkaloids, including quinine, which has been demonstrated as an effective anti-malarial agent. Carica papaya leaves also serve as a soap substitute, effectively removing stains. Freshly harvested pawpaw and spoiled/infected pawpaw were collected and analytical procedure such as proximate analysis ,moisture content, ash content, fat content, crude fibre,crude protein and mineral content were carried out and determined. The results obtained in this study revealed the mineral content of fresh pawpaw, particularly vitamin C, concerning storage days, recorded as 63.24±0.16, 60.67±0.41, and 49.75±1.35 for day 1, day 3, and day 5, respectively. Proper storage is crucial. keep pawpaw in a cool, dry place to slow down spoilage. Refrigeration can help extend its freshness.
