Influence of location on chemical composition of Tamba grain (Eleusine coracana)

Abstract

The study was conducted between April and September, 2018 to determine the influence of location on chemical composition of Tamba grains (Eleucine coracana). Three samples were sourced from each study location: Todi, Ganawuri, Bokkos, Zabir, Bogoro, Rinji, Tulai and Nabardo in central Nigeria. Specifically, proximate analysis, essential amino acid, non-essential amino acid, mineral composition and anti-nutrient were assessed. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance. Overall mean dry matter, crude fiber, protein, ether extract and ash contents were 92.40±0.05, 3.76±0.04, 7.96±0.07, 1.87±0.08 and 2.78±0.06 %, respectively. In addition, the mean essential amino acid content: methionine, arginine, tryptophan, threonine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, valine, phenyl-alanine were 2.58±0.05, 2.88±0.05, 0.60±0.02, 3.31±0.06, 2.18±0.02, 3.82±0.08, 10.21±0.65, 1.52±0.12, 5.09±0.10 and 5.23±0.16 g/100g, respectively. On the other hand, the mean non-essential amino acid content: proline, tyrosine, cysteine, alanine, glycine, glutamic-acid, serine and aspartic-acid were 4.59±0.13, 2.21±0.03, 0.65±0.11, 6.64±0.35, 2.50±0.05, 18.98±0.39, 3.92±0.09, 7.20±0.09 g/100g, respectively. Mineral contents; namely iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, Sulphur, phosphorus and cobalt were 2.60±0.06, 71.66±0.57, 162.54±2.57, 46.24±0.65, 26.25±1.08, 0.94±0.03, 1.50±0.08, 0.90±0.05, 0.92±0.11, 161.35±5.15, 0.34±0.07 mg/g while anti-nutrient content: flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, saponin, oxalate and phytic acid were 1.71±0.14, 0.99±0.07, 26.56±1.13, 0.89±0.14, 7.61±0.65 and 20.13±0.94 μg/g. Except moisture content, dry matter content, Leucine, Lysine and Alanine, significant variation was observed in all the other parameters. Generally, the study revealed that location had strong effect on nutrition composition of Tamba grain. Therefore, the use of Tamba grain for humans and animals (if cost effective) should take cognizance of source of grains.

Keywords: Tamba grain, Proximate composition, Amino acid profile and Location