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Amino acid profile of two
non-conventional leafy vegetables, Sesamum indicum
and Balanites aegyptiaca
D. Kubmarawa*, I. F. H.
Andenyang and A. M. Magomya
Department
of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B.
2076, Yola, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. Email:
dkubmarawa@yahoo.com
Accepted
31 July, 2008 |
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The leaves of Sesamum indicum and Balanites
aegyptiaca are popularly consumed in Adamawa
State of Nigeria largely by the rural communities. They were
analyzed to determine proximate nutrient content, amino acid
composition and antinutritional factors. Data obtained for
proximate composition showed protein content of 18.59 and
15.86% for S. indicum and B. Aegyptiaca,
respectively. These values are high compared to those for
some common Nigerian vegetables. Leaves of both plants had
high percentages of crude fibre (27.58 and 30.75%).
Carbohydrates, lipid, moisture and ash contents were within
the range expected for dry leafy vegetable. Seventeen (17)
amino acids were found in varying proportions in the protein
of both vegetables. The anti-nutritional factors analyzed;
tannins, oxalates and phytates, in the vegetables were lower
than the range of values reported for most vegetables.
Key
words:
Sesamum indicum, Balanites aegyptiaca, amino
acid, nutrients, antinutrients, vegetables. |
