Comparative Study of Proximate, Mineral and Anti-nutrient Composition of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst Ex. A. Rich. (Harms.) Accessions

Background: This study compared the proximate, mineral and anti-nutritional composition of selected accessions of African yam bean. The objective was to assess the potential of these accessions to contribute to food and nutrition security critical to the survival of many rural communities currently ravaged by hunger and malnutrition in Africa. Methods: Eight (8) accessions of African yam bean were used for this study. Seeds of each accession were processed and chemically analyzed using AOAC standard methods. The samples were replicated three times and F-LSD were used to separate significant means. Result: Results obtained showed that there were significant variations in the proximate, mineral and anti-nutritional composition of the accessions. Accession TSs 519 had the highest crude protein composition (22.53%), dry matter (91.14%), carbohydrate content (22.53%), sodium (80.46 mg/100 g) and the lowest moisture content 8.86%. The ash content was highest in accession TSs 568 (5.26%). Accession TSs 535 had the highest content of phytate (3.74%), oxalate (1.73%), HCN (1.72%) and tannins (1.44%). Magnesium and potassium were highest in accessions TSs 595 (90.26 mg/100 g) and TSs 568 (280.51 mg/100 g) respectively. The high protein and carbohydrate contents of African yam bean could supplement traditional dishes consumed by both children and adults in order to alleviate protein-energy malnutrition in the developing countries especially in Africa, where this legume is indigenous.
