Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: October-December | Volume: 2 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 44-50
Proximate Composition, Mineral Content and Mineral Safety Index of Lablab Purpureus Seed Flour
Dr. Olaleye Abdul Ademola1, Mr. Olatoye Rauf Abioye2
1Department of Chemistry, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria
2Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Dr. Olaleye Abdul Ademola
ABSTRACT
Lablab purpureus is one of the annual forage legumes that is widespread throughout the tropics. Lablab beans have a low market value than other legumes due to it underutilization. The proximate composition and mineral content of Lablab purpureus were investigated using Standard Analytical Techniques. Lablab purpureus contained low concentration of (g/100g): moisture (6.33), ash (3.87) and crude fat (4.57). The protein concentration was high at 19.4 g/100g but still lower than the recommended value of 23-56 g/100g for human daily requirement. The concentration of carbohydrate was also high in the sample (61.2 g/100g), this being typical of plant sources. Most of the major minerals recorded low concentrations (mg/100g): Na (5.74), Ca (9.90); Mg (10.4) except potassium which was high at 597mg/100. Among the trace metals, Copper (2.84 mg/100g) and Manganese (1.64mg/100g) were low in the sample. Lead was not detected at all in the sample and this is good as it is toxic and not useful for any biochemical process. For calculated mineral ratios, Na/K (0.01) level was lower than the critical level of 0.6 that may enhance high blood pressure in man. Ca/P ratio (0.035) was lower than the minimum requirement of 0.5 for favourable calcium absorption in intestine and for proper bone formation. The results of the mineral safety index showed that the body would not be overloaded with any of the minerals. Lablab purpureus consumption should therefore be encouraged because of its high protein contents. However, it should be supplemented with food rich in minerals due to low level of most of the minerals investigated.
Keywords: Lablab, proximate, minerals safety index