A nutritional assessment of African yam bean Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex A. Rich) Harms, and bambara groundnut Voandzeia subterranea L.

Abstract

Two grain legumes Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex A . Rich) Harms. and Voandzeia subterranea L. commonly grown in the tropics for human consumption, were evaluated nutritionally using broiler chick assays. Metabolisable energy content was high in both pulses, but true protein digestibility was low in S . stenocarpa (62.9%) and moderate in V . subterranea (77.0%). Both mineral content and availability were moderate. Amino acid content was similar to that of other pukes, cystine and methionine being low. Amino acid availability differed significantly between S. stenocarpa (62.6%) and V. subterranea (83.0%). Fatty acid composition was similar to that observed in most commonly eaten pulses.

Nutrient content of Bambara groundnut (<i>Vigna subterranea</i>) and the effects of its inclusion on the performance of growing broiler chickens and on egg production and quality

“…The CP and crude fi bre content of Bambara groundnut determined in this study were about 22 and 5.2%, respectively, similar to those reported from other studies (Nwokolo, 1987;Ologhobo, 1992). However, the content of ether extract (7.5%) in this study was much higher than the 2.85 % reported by Nwokolo (1987).…”

“…However, the content of ether extract (7.5%) in this study was much higher than the 2.85 % reported by Nwokolo (1987). The similarity in the nutrients content from this study to those of Nwokolo (1987) and Ologhobo (1992) could be due to the fact that the nuts all originating from the same geographical region (West Africa). The differences in the nutrient content found in this study to those reported by the authors in the introduction could be to a large extent due to the geographical origin and also the cultivar used.…”

“…The experiment lasted 10 weeks. 12.9 12.7 12.6 12.5 11.8 11.6 1 commercial vitamin and mineral premixes for broilers and for layers 2 supplied per kg diet, g: DL-methionine (98%) 2; valine 2; NaCl 3; titanium dioxide (marker) 3 calculated assuming 12.5 MJ ME /kg for Bambara according to Nwokolo (1987) …”

“…On broilers, Oluyemi (1975) reported an ME content of 8.2 MJ/kg, while Nwokolo (1987) 12.5 MJ ME/ kg and a true protein digestibility of 77%. Ologhobo (1992) tested 12.5 and 25% levels of inclusion of Bambara groundnut in growing broiler rations and concluded that at the 25% level the performance was signifi cantly reduced.…”

“…The nutrients content of Bambara are reported by a few authors and, just like most under-researched plant seeds, vary enormously. It has been reported to contain in g/kg air-dried: crude protein, 144 to 225, N-free extractives, 529 to 693, total lipids, 60 to 85, and ash 25 to 50 (Busson and Bergeret, 1958;Oliviera, 1976;Nwokolo, 1987;Onimawo et al, 1998). Bonamme (1909) also reported a starch content of 518 g/kg.…”