Nutrient composition and the effect of processing on Canavalia ensiforms seed

Abstract

The nutrient composition and some anti-nutritional factors of the raw and cooked-defatted Canavalia ensiformis seeds were determined. The raw seeds recorded 24.48 ± 0. 28% crude protein, 12.40 ± 0.18% fat, 2.47 ± 0.43% crude fiber, 3.22 ± o.24% ash, while the processed seeds cooked-defatted on the other hand recorded 50.02 ± 4.71% crude protein, 5.48 ± 0.25% fat, 2.51 ± 0.31% crude fiber, 3.69 ± 0.52% ash. The seeds contain high amounts of K +, Zn 2+, Na + but low level of Ca 2+. The raw seed has the highest levels of trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid and oxalic acid which were significantly reduced (p<0.05) by cooking and defattening. The processed seed could be used in the formulation of livestock feeds.


Keywords: Jack bean, Canavalia ensiformis,nutrient composition, anti-nutrients

IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 48-51