Effect of Germination on the Performance Characteristics of African Yam Bean (<i>Sphenostylis stenocarpa</i> Hochst ex A Rich) Seed Meal on Albino Rats

Abstract

The performance characteristics or quality of protein from ungerminated and germinated African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seeds on male Wistar albino rats was investigated. The proteins were found to
have high true digestibility (TD) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The net protein retention (NPR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention efficiency (PRE), Net protein value (NPV), Nitrogen efficiency ratio (NER), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and relative NPR (RNPR) of the ungerminated seeds were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of the germinated seeds, while their net protein utilization (NPU) were not significantly different. This implies a great potency of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seed protein as a source of high quality protein especially in the preparation
of protein supplements and formulation of new diets: and the possibility of improvement by germination