Comparative Study on the Proximate Composition of the Main African Legumes

Abstract

Nigeria's rising population necessitates the study of underutilized legumes, particularly those that can adapt to our challenging  environmental conditions and have high disease and pest resistance. Leguminous crops have a reputation for providing a good source of  protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is claimed that a grain legume has a protein content that is two to three times higher than that of a  grain cereal. To shed light on their potential as food sources for a larger population in the nation, this study examined the nutritional  profile of Ethiopian lima beans and other legumes found in Nigeria. Comparing the proximate composition of Ethiopian Lima Bean with  indigenous pulses (Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), ‘Akidi’ (Vigna unguiculata unguiculata), Groundnut, (Arachis hypogaea L.),  Asparagus Beans – Foi Foi (Vigna sesquipedalis), and Bambara groundnut – Okpa (Vigna subterrenea L.)), protein content was  respectively Akidi (31.25 %), Okpa (27.15 %), Asparagus bean (21.70 %), Lima bean (20.17 %), Common bean (17.70 %) and Groundnut  (12.81 %). Vignea subterranean (Okpa) and Akidi (Vignea unguiculata unguiculata) had the highest protein content among the sampled  underutilized legumes 27.15 % and 31.25 % of dry matter which was significantly different (p<0.05) from other samples. Based on our  findings, we conclude that the nutritive value of common bean seeds from Nigeria can be regarded as a good source of energy, even  though Nigeria Akidi and Bambara groundnut (Okpa) seeds are the richest sources of protein among underutilized legumes and, if  improved, will provide quality nutrition in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Ethiopia Lima bean seeds, despite being a good source of protein  and carbohydrates with little fat, have the highest moisture content, exposing them to high perishability, a significant  disadvantage for legume production.