Umoren U.E., Essien A.I., Ukorebi B.A., Essien E.B.
Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria; Snowbird Foods Ltd., Wharf Road, Ponders End, Middlesan, en 4TD, Enfield, Nigeria
Umoren, U.E., Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria; Essien, A.I., Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria; Ukorebi, B.A., Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria; Essien, E.B., Snowbird Foods Ltd., Wharf Road, Ponders End, Middlesan, en 4TD, Enfield, Nigeria
A study was conduced to evaluate the nutritional potential of Milletia obanensis "Odudu" as a possible food or feedstuff and to assess the effect of various processing methods on its nutritional quality. Results of proximate analysis showed that the raw seeds contained 26.7% crude protein, 23.5% ether extract, 3.47% crude fibre, 4.37% ash and 42.0% nitrogen free extract. The protein was well supplied with essential and non-essential amino acids, though the values were low when compared with popular seed legumes. Minerals were in fair supply: P 3.10, Mg 92.30, K 45.25 and Fe 2.20 mg/100 g. Processing methods significantly (p<0.05) affected the nutritional composition. While autoclaving, boiling and toasting (heat treatment) increased the protein content, it reduced the levels of anti-nutritional factors-phytate, tannins, oxalates, cyanogenic glycosides and (slightly) saponin. Thus, it was concluded that M. obanensis seeds, if properly processed, could serve as livestock feed or food for man. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
essential amino acid; ether; glycoside; iron; magnesium; mineral; nitrogen; oxalic acid; phosphorus; phytate; potassium; saponin; tannin derivative; vegetable protein; analytic method; animal food; article; ash; autoclave; biochemical composition; controlled study; cooking; food; food processing; heat treatment; heating; intermethod comparison; legume; livestock; milletia obanensis; nonhuman; nutritional value; plant; plant fiber; plant seed; protein content; statistical significance; Fraxinus; Millettia