Nutritional Evaluation of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) From Lapai, Nigeria

Abstract:

The nutritional constituents of seeds of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) were analyzed for their nutritional compositions using standard analytical methods. Results of proximate analysis obtained were moisture content (9.20±0.12 %), ash (3.40±0.09 %), carbohydrate (21.10±0.05 %), crude fibre (4.60±0.07 %) and calorific value (185.79±0.03 kcal/100 g). Mean concentrations of mineral elements were the order: zinc (139.00±0.04 mg/100 g) > potassium (31.50±0.12 mg/100 g) > copper (30.00±0.01 mg/100 g) > phosphorus (17.40±0.11 mg/100 g) > magnesium (3.90±0.07 mg/100 g) > calcium (3.50±0.17 mg/100 g) > sodium (0.11±0.03 mg/100 g) > iron (0.10±0.01 mg/100 g). Measured values for bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity and foaming stability were 0.85±0.07 g/cm3, 1.65±0.13 %, 0.70±0.03 %, 16.00±0.12 % and 7.50±0.22 % respectively. The amino acid profile revealed that glutamic acid had the highest value (12.56 g/100 g) while tryptophan had the lowest concentration (0.87 g/100 g). Results obtained indicate that the consumption of V. subterranean can contribute to the nutritional requirements of the body.