Karaye I.U., Aliero A.A., Muhammad S., Bilbis L.S.
Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Karaye, I.U., Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Aliero, A.A., Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Muhammad, S., Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Bilbis, L.S., Department of Biochemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Seeds of Luffa aegyptiaca (Mill.), Citrullus lanatus (Thunb. Matsum), Cucurbita maxima (Duchesne, ex-Lam.), Cucumis metuliferus (E. Mey. ex Naudin) and Momordica balsamina (L.) were evaluated for their nutritional and antinutritional compositions using standard analytical procedures. Results of proximate analysis revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) in contents of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates amongst the studied species. Crude protein content ranged from 29.49-33.50% with the highest value in C. lanatus while C. maxima had the least. Crude lipid composition ranged from 28.24 33.60% with the highest in C. lanatus and M. balsamina had the least. Crude carbohydrate content ranged from 27.88-34.46% with the highest value obtained in C. metuliferus while the least was found in M. balsamina. Crude fibre analysis revealed the highest content of 3.86% in C. maxima while the least value of 3.16% was found in C. metuliferus. Ash content was highest (4.64%) in M. balsamina while the least (3.89%) was obtained in the seeds of L. aegyptiaca. Antinutritional analysis showed a significant difference (P>0.05) in the contents of oxalate, nitrate and tannins amongst the evaluated species. High nitrate and tannin contents of 8.10 and 3.7 mg/100 g dry weights were obtained in L. aegyptiaca and C. maxima respectively. Highest cyanide compositions of 0.51 and 0.50 mg/100 g were identified in C. metuliferus and C. maxima respectively. The seed extracts showed inhibition against trypsin with the highest (46.05 and 41.57%) shown by C. maxima and C. lanatus respectively. Results in this study suggest the potent of the seeds as formidable sources of nutrients that could be exploited for wider application in food and animal feed fortification schemes after further validation.
carbohydrate; cyanide; fat; lipid; nitrate; tannin derivative; article; ash; carbohydrate analysis; controlled study; Cucumis; Cucumis metuliferus; Cucurbita maxima; food analysis; food composition; lipid composition; Luffa aegyptiaca; nonhuman; nutrient content; nutritional value; phytochemistry; plant fiber; plant leaf; plant seed; protein content; watermelon