NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) FROM LAPAI, NIGERIA

Abstract

The nutritional constituents of seeds of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) were analyzed for their nutritional compositions using standard analytical methods. Results of proximate analysis obtained were moisture content (9.20±0.12 %), ash (3.40±0.09 %), carbohydrate (21.10±0.05 %), crude fibre (4.60±0.07 %) and calorific value (185.79±0.03 kcal/100 g). Mean concentrations of mineral elements were the order: zinc (139.00±0.04 mg/100 g) > potassium (31.50±0.12 mg/100 g) > copper (30.00±0.01 mg/100 g) > phosphorus (17.40±0.11 mg/100 g) > magnesium (3.90±0.07 mg/100 g) > calcium (3.50±0.17 mg/100 g) > sodium (0.11±0.03 mg/100 g) > iron (0.10±0.01 mg/100 g). Measured values for bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, foaming capacity and foaming stability were 0.85±0.07 g/cm3, 1.65±0.13 %, 0.70±0.03 %, 16.00±0.12 % and 7.50±0.22 % respectively. The amino acid profile revealed that glutamic acid had the highest value (12.56 g/100 g) while tryptophan had the lowest concentration (0.87 g/100 g). Results obtained indicate that the consumption of V. subterranean can contribute to the nutritional requirements of the body.