Nutrient and phytochemical composition of aduh (<i>Dioscorea bulbifera</i>), an indigineous crop

Abstract

The study investigated the nutrient and phytochemical composition of aduh (Dioscorea bulbifera), an aerial crop. Samples were subjected to proximate composition, mineral, vitamin, phytochemical and functional properties analyses. The moisture, ash, crude fat, crude fibre, protein and carbohydrate contents were 8.70%, 3.35%, 5.70%, 2.30%, 6.40% and 73.55% respectively. Data obtained for mineral composition showed that calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and iron content were 160.45mg/100g, 137.80mg/100g, 77.88mg/100g, 224.58mg/100g, 86.20mg/100g and 7.27mg/100g respectively. Data obtained for vitamin composition showed that vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E were 0.24mg/100g, 0.55mg/100g, 12.48mg/100g, 3.80mg/100g, 4.33mg/100g respectively. Aduh (Dioscorea bulbifera) contains not only the essential; nutrients like protein, fat, crude fiber and carbohydrate they also contain phytochemical which help fight against most diseases of man. They also have low moisture content which makes them store for a long time. Aduh (Dioscorea bulbifera) is rich in minerals and certain vitamins. The appreciable quantities of vitamin content of the aduh (Dioscorea bulbifera) flour sample presents it as a highly potential and good source of food supplement for malnourished people and animals.

Keywords: Aduh flour, nutrients, phytochemical