DefinePK

Abstract

A comparative study was
carried out on chemical and amino acid composition of six Nigerian under-utilized
legume two varieties of bambara groundnut, kerstings groundnut, two
varieties of rear cowpea and cranberry beans flours. The crude protein
values ranged from 7.5g100g in moderate brown coat cowpea to 51.5g100g
in cranberry beans. The ether extract, crude fibre, ash, moisture and
carbohydrate value ranged form 3.1 6.9, 2.4 4.4, 3.2 4.6, 0.4
3.0 and 31.5 82.9g100g respectively. All the studied legume flours
were found to be good sources of essential minerals such as K, Mg, Ca,
P, Na, Fe but Cu, Mn and Zn contents were low while Ni, Co, Pb, Cr and
Hg were not detected. The amino acid analysis revealed that the legume
were superior with respect to Arg, Leu and Phe when comparing the essential
amino acids in the studied samples with the recommended FAOWHO provisional
pattern however supplementation may be required in Ile, Lys and Val.

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