Some Anti-Nutritional and Mineral Contents of Extra-Cotyledonous Deposit of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina Pulcherrima)

Abstract

The edible extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) was investigated for some minerals and antinutritional factors. Results obtained showed that while phytohaemagglutinin was absent, vanadium was very low in the extra-cotyledons of this legume. However, oxalate, trypsin inhibitor, phytate and polyphenol were found to be present at 18.09 +2.29, 0.28 +0..00, 96.40 +0.20, and 65.00 +0.02, mg/100g respectively. The sample was also found to contain the following essential minerals: iron (3.32 +0.09) zine (3.59 +0.01), copper (1.36 +0.01), sodium (1.51 +0.04), potassium (6.22 +0.48), calcium (83.37 +0.24), and phosphorus (28.75 +0.37) mg/kg DM. Extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados is a good source of calcium and may serve as a cheap single source of considerable number of essential minerals.

Keywords: Anti-Nutrients, Minerals, Extra-Cotyledon, Pride of Barbados.

Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (1) 2005: pp. 19-22