Nutritional Value and Amino Acid Profile of Dried Seeds of Cucumeropsis mannii (Cucurbitaceae)
Joelle Lasm Agnei
Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Security, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Yolande Dogoré Digbeu *
Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Security, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Edmond Ahipo Dué
Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouakou Brou
Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Security, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To assess the biochemical, phytochemical and amino acid content from Cucumeropsis mannii dried seeds flours grown in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa).
Study Design: Experimental.
Place and duration of study: Sample: Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Security, Nangui Abrogoua University
Methodology: Cucumeropsis mannii seeds were obtained for this study from an experimental field in Gagnoa (Côte d’Ivoire). In March 2022, seeds were planted and after 7 months, the mature fruits that lead to the complete drying of the plant were harvested.
Results: The biochemical composition of the seeds revealed that they contain varying proportions of carbohydrates, fibers, ash, total sugars with contents of 9.28 ± 0.79 %; 2.72 ± 0.30 %; 3.12 ± 0.38; 2.34 ± 0.05, respectively. High levels of lipids, proteins, dry matter and energy were observed in seed flour with values of 47.46 ± 1.55 %; 31.80 ± 1.16 %; 94.38 ± 0.6 %; 591.46 ± 1.17 kcal /100 g DM. The resulting flour reached a pH of 6.5. The study of phytochemicals showed varying levels of oxalate (0.32 g/100g DM), tannins (3.02 g TAE/ 100g DM), total polyphenols (8.12 mg GAE / g DM), total flavonoids (27.5 mg QE/g DM) and carotenoids (2.9 µg/100g DM). Furthermore, they were potential sources of essential amino acids, including histidine (905.6 mg/100g), isoleucine (844.5 mg/100g), threonine (730.1mg/100g), phenylalanine (550.0 mg/100g), valine (469.9 mg/100g), leucine (456.6 mg/100g), and methionine (358.5 mg/100g).
Conclusion: The overall result implies that Cucumeropsis mannii seeds could be added to the food preparations of malnourished children.
Keywords: Cucumeropsis mannii, phytochemicals, amino acids, lipids;protein