Evaluation of Proximate, Mineral and Anti-Nutrient Compositions of Vigna subterranean L. Thouars (Bambara Nut) Seeds
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.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Vigna subterranean L. Thouars, nutritive values, anti – nutritive value, mineral compositions