Effects of processing on the mineral content, proximate composition and phytochemical factors of the seeds of bauhinia monandra (kurz)

Abstract

The mineral content, nutritive value and anti-nutritional factors in boiled seeds of Bauhinia monandra collected from the main campus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria were evaluated. Mineral content analysis revealed concentrations of Potassium 103.33mg/g, Iron 75.92mg/g, Calcium 56.55mg/g, Sodium 53.33mg/g, Phosphorus 47.60mg/g, Magnesium 43.33mg/g, and Zinc 01.11mg/g. Proximate composition of the seeds showed high crude protein in the boiled (25.75-31.69mg/g) and low crude fiber (7.11-10.75mg/g) in the raw samples. Phytochemical screening of the seeds showed that the concentration of Hydrogen cyanide, fluorine and sulphur levels reduced significantly (P<0.05) as the boiling times increased compared to the raw samples. The implications of the findings are discussed.