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  DOI Prefix   10.20431


 

International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2017, Page No: 22-27
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2454-9487.0303004

The Nutritional Contributions of Moringa oleifera (Lam) and Prosopis africana (Guill & Perr) Taub Seeds for Sustainable Diets to Food Security

Abubakar E.M.1,Abdulhamid B.2

1.Department of Forestry Technology, College of Agriculture, Yelwa, Bauchi State- Nigeria
2.Department of Forestry Technology, Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta, Kano State- Nigeria

Citation :Abubakar E.M.,Abdulhamid B., The Nutritional Contributions of Moringa oleifera (Lam) and Prosopis africana (Guill & Perr) Taub Seeds for Sustainable Diets to Food Security International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture 2017,3(3) : 22-27

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the nutritive contents of M. oleifera and P. africana seeds in Northern region of Nigeria. The seeds were analyzed in water-soluble forms to determine their mineral (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium and iodine) and vitamin (A, C and E) compositions in order to encourage the possibility of using these seeds for human consumption due to malnutrition in the under developed countries. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Titration method showed that the seeds were found to be good sources of minerals and vitamins. Based on the results obtained,potassium, magnesium and iodine contents were high in P. africana seeds (1369.30 ±1.00, 438.50 ± 0.20 and 102.50 ± 0.20 mg/100 g) than from M. oleifera seeds (502.00 ± 1.00 mg/100g, 218.20 ± 0.10 and59.05 ± 0.03 mg/100 g). But, calcium and iron were higher in M. oleifera (245.73 ± 0.13 and 37.08 ± 0.05 mg/100 g) than from P. africana (101.60 ± 0.26 and 37.08 ± 0.05 mg/100 g) seeds, respectively. Vitamins A, C and E evaluated from the seeds were found to be higher in M. oleifera seeds (6.66 ± 0.01, 214.50 ± 6.50 and 2801.50 ± 1.50 mg/100 g) than from P. africana seeds (0.07 ± 0.06, 46.90 ± 1.60 and 51.15 ± 0.15 mg/100 g).The seeds are very good sources of nutrients for human body as useful dietary supplements, also contain essential vitamins for human good health. The result of this study shows that Moringa and Prosopis seeds can contribute useful amounts of essential nutrients to the diet of man. Thus, the present of nitrite, total acidity and other anti-nutrients should be study to make the seeds safe for consumption.


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