Nutritional Evaluation and Anti-Nutrients of Isoberlinia doka Seeds

Abstract

The raw, toasted and boiled (at 30, 40 and 60 min) seeds of Isoberlinia doka were analyzed for crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extract (NFE), some minerals (Zn, Ca, Mn, K, Na, P and Fe), amino acids and anti-nutrients (phytate, saponin, tannin, cyanide and oxalate). The dry matter ranged from 90.55 mg/100 g to 92.85 mg/100 g – crude protein, 8.22 to 10.95 mg/100 g – crude fibre, 2.66 to 3.98 mg/100 g – ash, 2.12 to 3.01 mg/100 g and Nitrogen Free Extract – 76.85 to 81.62 mg/100 g in raw and processed seeds. The phytate, saponin, tannin,
cyanide and oxalate were in the range of 1.82 to 4.62 mg/100 g, 3.26 to 5.40 mg/100 g, 1.42 to 3.06 mg/100 g, 0.20 to 2.60 mg/100 g and 4.62 to 6.44 mg/100 g respectively. The least mineral element in the seed was phosphorus (0.134 mg/l) while zinc (7.59 mg/l) was the highest. Of the seventeen amino acids, glutamic acid (7.89 g/16 gN) had the highest concentration, while the lowest was methionine (0.70 g/16 gN). These results are discussed in relation to the utilization potential of these uncommon seeds when processed.