Nutrients and Phytochemical Profiles of Some Selected Underutilized Hard-to-Cook Legumes in Nigeria

Abstract

Mature  seeds of  underutilized hard-to-cook legumes  Cassia hirsutta, Canavalia ensiformis, Vigna racemosa, Vigna subterranean (cream coloured). Vigna subterranean (mottled coloured) and Sphenostylis sterocarpa.) were analysed for the nutrients and phytochemical properties. Proximate analysis revealed the protein content in the range of 18.25% for cream coloured Vigna subterranean to 21.30% for Vigna racemosa. The seeds are good sources of protein. The legume seeds also contain varying concentrations of mineral elements – Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg, Na, P, and K.  Antinutrtional components observed were in the range of 56.26 – 71.78mg/g  phytic acid, 5.11 – 7.19mg/g  saponin, 27.47 – 62.31mg/g  tannin and 10.88 – 25.61 mg/g  trypsin  inhibitor. The legumes are good sources of nutrients such as protein and hence can be used to apprehend the problems associated with protein energy manultriton (PEM) as well as food and nutrition insecurity in developing countries.