ABSTRACT
Pineapple (Ananascomosus) belonging to the Bromeliaceae family
is grown in different parts of Nigeria either for export or for the
local market. Pineapples are sliced and eaten fresh in the homes, or
processed into fruit juices for consumption or concentrates for future
use. Pineapple as a fruit crop has a lot of economic, nutritional,
medicinal, and industrial importance (Sarah et al., 1997).
According to Dull (2002), pineapple serve as food for human consumption
contains about 81.2-86.2% moisture, 13-19% total solids of which
sucrose, glucose, and fructose are the main components, 2-3% fibre and
rich source of vitamin C. Lipids and nitrogenous compounds constitute
0.1% of which 25-30% of the nitrogenous compounds are true proteins. The
fruit is also rich in calcium (Ca) which has proteolytic activity due
to the enzyme bromelin. Consumption of pineapple enhances the
detoxification of the human body and prevents blood clotting. It also
prevents kidney problems, protects the heart and regulates stomach
acidity and help prevents constipation (Dull, 2002).