Proximate Constituent and Mineral Content of the Seeds of Africa Yam Bean (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa) Purchased in Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria.

Abstract:

In sub-Saharan Africa there has been various calls for development of a crop which will be high yielding with increased protein content. One of such plants currently being speculated to be an important source of high protein, carbohydrates, as well as other nutritional substances is African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst ex A. Rich. Harms). This work is therefore designed to ascertain the proximate, mineral, vitamin and phytochemical composition of the seed of African yam bean. The seed of African bean where analyzed for proximate mineral vectorment and phytochemical composition using standard methods. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA. Results of the percentage proximate composition showed that the seeds contain 8.67 % moisture, crude protein 22.22 %, crude fibre 3.89 %, ash 4.58 %, fat 4.20 %, and carbohydrate 56.44 %. The mineral contents (mg /100g) were found to be 32.07 mg /100g (sodium), 231.20 mg /100g (potassium), 78.67 mg /100g (Magnesium), 159.66 mg /100g (Calcium), 133.53 mg /100g (Phosphorus), 2.32 mg /100g (Zinc), 6.13 mg /100g (Iron). Africa yam bean is an important source of high-quality protein and carbohydrate, as well as other nutritious substances. The present constituent especially their quantitative composition may be an indication of the nutritional as well as medicinal important of the seeds of Africa yam bean. Such interesting high content of certain bioactive compounds such as phenol and flavonoid as well as elevated protein content calls for improved cultivation of this crop for maximum yield and availability.