Nutritional Assessment of Vigna unguiculata sub spp. sesquipedalis Seeds

Abstract

In order to access the nutritional value of Vigna unguiculata sub spp. sesquipedalis seeds, samples of the seeds were analysed for proximate, elemental, antinutritional factor and amino acid profile were determined using recommended methods.  The results obtained for proximate parameters were: %moisture content (7.40± 0.70); ash content (5.11±0.16), % crude fat (1.77± 0.03); % crude fibre (0.72±0.01), % crude protein (14.95±0.14), % crude carbohydrate (70.05±0.14) and the calorific value (355.93±0.03kcal/100g). The anti-nutritional factors had the following mean values: saponins (1.73±0.01 %), tannins (1.51±0.01 %), flavonoids (1.28±0.03 %), oxalates (0.10±0.00 %), and alkaloids (0.36±0.00 %). The functional properties were bulk density (0.89±0.03 g/cm³), emulsification capacity (56.40 ± 1.43 %), oil adsorption capacity (1.74±0.06 %), water adsorption capacity (3.17±0.92 %), foaming capacity (30.00±0.83 %). and foaming stability (18.00±0.81 %). The selected macro elemental composition of the sample were in the order: magnesium < sodium < calcium < phosphorus < potassium (2.60±0.28, 3.85±0.30, 5.15±0.55, 10.00±1.63 and 24.15±1.15) respectively and the selected micro elemental composition in sample were in the order: copper < zinc < manganese < iron (1.20±0.16, 3.10±0.26, 5.20±0.33 and 5.75±0.59) respectively. The amino acid profile indicated that glutamic acid had the highest value (13.55 g/100g), while cysteine was the lowest (0.78 g/100g). These values indicate that Vigna unguiculata sub spp. sesquipedalis has the tendency of being a good quality food.