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BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF UKPA: A VARIETY OF TROPICAL LIMA BEANS (PHASEOLUS LUNATUS) FROM NIGERIA – A SHORT REPORTBIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF UKPA: A VARIETY OF TROPICAL LIMA BEANS (PHASEOLUS LUNATUS) FROM NIGERIA – A SHORT REPORT
 
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Publication date: 2010-09-30
 
 
Pol. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2010;60(3):231-235
 
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ABSTRACT
Limitations of protein supplies make the hunt for new protein sources and their quality evaluation necessary. Ukpa seeds, a variety of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus), was biochemically evaluated. Analysis on fresh weight bases gave crude protein content of 23.17 g/100 g, true protein value of 19.57 g/100 g and appreciable amounts of total carbohydrates (71.14 g/100 g) and minerals comparable to commonly consumed staples. Crude fat content was 0.21 g/100 g while these of total sugar and starch were 4.48 and 67.72 g/100 g respectively. Levels of trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid and oxalate were not striking but comparable with other conventional food sources. However, polyphenols were not detected in the seeds, which could be a nutritional advantage. While marginally limiting in S-containing amino acids (Cyst + Meth) (score 90.4), other indispensable amino acids (IAA) were at higher than adequate concentrations and easily satisfied the recommended requirements. It was concluded that ukpa seeds represent a potential source of protein and energy that could alleviate shortages, and efforts towards the domestication, multiplication and conservation of this indigenous variety should be pursued.
eISSN:2083-6007
ISSN:1230-0322
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