Nutritional diversity of two phaseolus accessions from northern Nigeria

Abstract

Malnutrition is still prevalent in Nigeria as a result of the decline in protein intake owing to scarcity and un-affordable price of animal protein. Phaseolus species is an underutilised crop in Nigeria with potentials as a good source of protein, nutrients and minerals, and with high medicinal value. This study was aimed at investigating the nutritional diversity of twenty-nine accessions of Phaseolus vulgaris and four accessions of P. lunatus collected from growing regions in Northern Nigeria using the AOAC methods. The result of proximate composition showed that moisture content was lowest in KD-06 (3.79 %); KD-08 had the highest protein content (27.08 %); carbohydrate content was highest in KD-05 (70.03 %). Pl- 10 had the highest crude fat (8.37 %) while crude fibre was highest in KD-10 (10.15 %). PL-14 had the highest energy value (392.44 kcal/100 g). Mineral composition also varied across the accessions studied. Calcium was highest in KD-10 (570 mg/100 g); magnesium was highest in KD-08 (43 mg/100 g); potassium was highest in PL-05 (55.30 mg/100 g) while phosphorus was highest in PL-02 (532.00 mg/100 g). Phaseolus species present in Northern Nigeria possess a great diversity which can be harnessed by plant breeders to produce varieties of Phaseolus with better nutritional qualities in the future.