Comparative Characterisation Study of the Properties of Modified and Unmodified African Locust Beans (Parkia Bigbosa) Marketed in Ilisan/ Shagamu Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Parkia biglobosa is a wide leguminous plant found in Nigeria and many other African countries. It has been found to contain high calorific value, essential proteins, fatty acids etc. Aims and Objectives: The aim and objective of this work amongst others is to characterize the modified and the unmodified African locust bean with the view of finding out their nutritional value. Methodology: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out on both the unmodified and modified samples at different magnifications in order to determine their morphologies. Also, Fourier transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT- IR) was employed to investigate the functional groups and their intensities in the water-based extract of both samples. Finally, X-RD analysis was carried out on the unmodified water-based extract in order to determine the phase names available in the sample. Results: From the SEM analysis, patches and pores were found in each of the samples, but the patches on the modified sample appeared wider than the ones seen in the modified sample. This could be as a result of the breakdown of proteins by microorganisms in the course of fermentation. The following functional groups were detected in the unmodified water sample with their intensities: O-H, N-H (45.64) CH2 O asymmetric, C-H stretch (85.55), CH2 O symmetric, C-H stretch (91.04), C≡N, C≡C (95.16), C=O (64.14) C-CH asymmetric bend (85.22), SO2 symmetric stretch sulfate (85.43) and C-N Stretch (85.42). Additionally, the following functional groups with their intensities were recorded for the modified water based extract: O-H, N-H (74.75), C-N (82.30), C≡N, C≡C (96.34), C=O (85.07), CO2 asymmetric stretch (67.44), CH3 umbrella (74.78), Alkyl/Aryl (83.72), SO2 stretch sulfate (81.73) amongst other vital result obtained from X-RD analysis. Conclusion: More functional groups were prevalent in the modified African locust beans seeds than in the unmodified including their intensities. This is indicative of more nutritional value in the modified sample compared with the unmodified sample.