This work aims at analyzing the bioactive and anti-nutritional compounds of edible and wild beans when unprocessed and malted. Qualitative screening of phytochemicals in the various bean samples was determined in ethanol and petroleum ether solvents. Results of the anti-nutritional compositions of unprocessed wild bean extracted with petroleum ether showed there were no traces of saponin and polyphenol, in Feregede and also in edible bean-IT07K-243-1-10 which also had no traces of saponin and tannin. After malting, saponin was totally absent in Pakala, Mucuna, IT97k-499-35, IT07k-243-1-10, and IT04k-333-2 respectively. Polyphenol was also found to be absent in IT07k-243-1-10. Mucuna has the highest phytic acid level (7.8867 ± 0.011) while Feregede has the lowest phytic acid level (2.9810 ± 0.004). Otili has the highest anti-trypsin level (12.001 ± 0.0013). This study showed varying levels of anti-nutrients on the respective bean samples when unprocessed but decreased marginally after malting. It was keenly noted that values derived, either before and after malting were not significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) from each other. In all, this study had further shown that malting process enhanced removal of anti-nutrients which invariably would lead to availability of nutrient for animal and human consumption.

This work was set out to assay for some minerals essential for healthy state and biochemical indices that underlined degenerative diseases in some edible bean cultivar and nearly extinct local wild bean. Against this backdrop, ash composition was determined before Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Pb 2+ and Cd were determined by Flame Photometer and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) respectively. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Vitamin E and Vitamin C were also assayed to determine the scavenging ability of the bean samples. The proximate ash composition result of unprocessed and malted edible bean IT99K-573-2-1 had the highest ash content value of 6.90 ± 0.01 and 6.92 ± 0.01 respectively. In the bean samples Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ were not detected. The empirical mineral composition varies across both the wild and edible bean without significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) except IT07K-243-1-10 that had Ca 2+ to be significantly higher than other bean samples. K + was found to be significantly higher in Feregede and IT07K-243-1-10 compared to other bean samples. Changes in the radical scavenging ability of the various sample in this study after malting, showed a slight reduction in DPPH content except for the edible beans-IT04K-333-2 and IT845-2246-4. Well, there was slight reduction of Vitamin E only in Otili, Mucuna and IT99K-573-1-1. Compared to others only Otili and IT845-2246-4 had slight reduction in Vitamin C after malting.

The research was carried out to collect some useful information on Lagenaria siceraria (Calabash gourd melon) seeds. The dried melon seeds were sorted, cleaned, soaked in water for easy removal and dehulled by abrasion to get the cotyledons, which were divided into three parts. The first part was used directly for analysis, the second part was boiled while the third part was fermented and analysed. Boiled melon had the highest fat and protein content while the raw melon had the highest carbohydrate content, however there was no significant increase in the ash content of the samples. There was a significant reduction in the antinutritional factors of boiled and fermented melon samples compared to the raw melon. Processing led to significant increase in the antioxidant activities and vitamin contents. The study observed that processing led to significant increase in the nutritional composition of the melon seeds and significant reduction in the antinutritional factors.

This work is an investigation of the curative effects of some edible and wild type beans on colonic inflammation induced by Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS) in wister albino rats. Macroscopic examination performed on the colon after seven-day exposure of the animals to both DSS and bean sample revealed a high incidence of colonic inflammation in rats fed with macuna compared to other groups. However, from the histological examination, the groups fed with Otili and Feregede had a low incidence of dysplasia showing Otili and Feregede to be good candidates that could mitigate effect of Dextran Sodium Sulphate.

This research was carried out to determine the effect(s) of different processing methods on the nutritional composition of Plukenetia conophora (Africa walnut) seeds. The dried walnut seeds were sorted, cleaned, cracked and dehulled by abrasion to get the cotyledons. The raw sample and processed (boiled and fermented) seeds were analyzed for microbial load, physicochemical properties (pH, total titratable acidity and moisture contents), proximate composition, vitamin contents and antioxidant level. The boiled sample had the least microbial load (7.55 Cfu/ml) followed by the raw sample 8.50 (Cfu/ml). There was a progressive increase in the microbial load with an increase in fermentation time from 8.18 Cfu/ml to 8.40 Cfu/g in FW24 and FW120, respectively. The raw sample had least pH and moisture content of 5.78 and 9.50%, respectively. Boiling and increase in fermentation time led to significant increase in pH and moisture content of the samples.