Nutritional profile of Balanites aegyptiaca flower

November 17, 2014

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Article Title:	Nutritional profile of Balanites aegyptiaca flower
Authors:	Umar K.J, Abubakar L., Alhassan B., Yahaya S.D., Hassan L.G, Sani N.A., Muhammad M.U.
Affiliation:	Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemistry, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Nigeria
Abstract:	Nutrient and antinutritional content of Balanites aegyptiaca flower was investigated; and found to have the following compositions; moisture content (43.3 ± 2.89%); ash content (6.67 ± 0.29%), crude lipid (4.5 ± 0.50%), crude protein (10.8 ± 0.49%) available carbohydrate (74.2 ± 0.49%), crude fibre (3.8 ± 0.29%), and calorific value (380.5kcal/100g), Na (42.1mg/100g), K (81.8mg/100g), P (5.91mg/100g), Ca (49.8mg/100g), Mg (19.36mg/100g), Mn (0.35mg/100g), Fe (31.46mg/100g), Cu (0.42mg/100g), Zn (3.69mg/100g), Cd (0.19mg/100g), Co (0.33mg/100g), Cr (0.35mg/100g) and Ni (6.33mg/100g). The B. aegyptiaca flower have sufficient amount of valine, and isoleucine. Moderate amount of leucine, methionine and threonine. Lysine is the most limiting amino acid in the flower. The concentration of antinutritive factors was observed to be phytate (1.63mg), oxalate (0.15mg), hydrocyanic acid (0.04mg), saponin (4.67mg),nitrate (0.02mg) and alkaloid (28.7mg); were lower than the reference toxic standard levels. Therefore,Balanites aegyptiaca flower could contribute in supplementing human nutrient requirement.
Keywords:	nutrient, antinutrient, Balanites aegyptiaca flower, Edible wild plant
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*Correspondence:	K.J Umar, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria kjumar@gmail.com; kjumar@udusok.edu.ng; Tel: +2347034845355]

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