Nutrient Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L) Peel

The present study was conducted to assess the nutri-chemical composition and antioxidant potential of rambutan fruit (Nephelium lappaceum L) peel. Red rambutan fruit peel was used in fresh as well as dried form for the study. The nutri-chemical profiling revealed, fresh peel had 24g/100g of carbohydrate, 2.5g/100g of protein, 0.17g/100 g of fat and 0.89g/100g starch. However, dried peel had 55.45g/100g carbohydrate, 5.25g/100 protein, 10.2g/100g fat and 1.00g/100g starch. Crude fiber content of the fresh and dried peel was 0.77g/100g and 0.068g/100g respectively. Moreover, the fresh peel had higher moisture (73%) content than dried peel (4.2%). Vitamin C being heat liable, was found higher in fresh peel (9.31mg/100g). Sodium and potassium levels was found higher in dried peel powder as 1.55mg/100g and 9.4mg/100g respectively. Phytochemical composition of rambutan peel revealed that total polyphenol was higher in dried peel (580mg/100g) when compared to fresh (310 mg/100 g), meanwhile saponin, tannin and terpenoid was found higher in fresh peel as 47mg/100g, 390mg/100g and 5.101mg/100g respectively. Flavonoid content was dominant in dried peel (20.51mg/100g) than that of fresh peel (9.6mg/100 g). The radical-scavenging activity was expressed as IC50, which reported dried peel (43.79μg/100 mL) had strong antioxidant potential than fresh peel (184.39μg/100mL). However, it is concluded that rambutan peel is a potent source of nutrients, bioactive compounds and antioxidants which in turn has immense therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, valorisation of agri-food wastes and by- products can enhance food security and promote sustainable development.