Vigna subterranean L.
Thouars (Bambara nut) is a leguminous plant grown in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its
seeds have attracted increasing attention due to their associated health
benefits. This study evaluated the proximate, mineral and anti – nutrient
compositions of Bambara nut seeds using standard analytical methods. The
proximate compositions of Bambara nut seeds showed moisture content 7.54±0.01%,
ash 3.46±0.02%, Crude fat 4.79±0.01%, Crude protein 22.40±0.01%, crude fibre
1.65±0.02%, carbohydrate 60.16±0.02% and available energy 1580.75kJ. The
mineral composition of the analysed samples showed that Vigan subterranean L.
Thouars seeds have 57.39±0.02 mg/100g and 55.67±0.02 mg/100g of potassium and
calcium, respectively. The high Ca/P ratio of 92.78 indicates that Bambara nut
is a very good source of food. This study revealed that oxalate, nitrate and
cyanide values were below the WHO standard.
The low content of anti-nutrients of Vigna subterranean L. Thouars
showed that Bambara nut will not constitute a health hazard. This study was
restricted to a sample from a single market, so future investigations should
include samples from different markets to evaluate its potential as a
nutritious food source.
Author(s) Details
I.J. Alinnor
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526,
Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
M. Chijioke-Okere
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526,
Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
N.C Nwagbo
The Ambassador College, P.M.B. 163, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/cbrp/v9/6683
