Evaluation of the Nutritive Importance of Fresh and Dry Cyperus esculentus (Tiger nut) Available in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

P. Ayoola Babatunde ,G.john Ibikunle ,O. Akintola Adebola

doi:10.7176/jbah/11-16-05

Abstract

Fresh and dried Cyperus esculentus nuts were obtained from a local market (Sabo market) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. These nuts are chew, serve as snacks and used as sources of food and medicine in Nigeria. In this study; proximate, mineral content (using AAS), vitamins and sugar compositions were determined using standard methods [1] The results of the proximate composition revealed that the dry nuts contained higher amount of the nutrients present (fat 35.43 %, protein 9.70 % and ash 4.25 %) than the fresh nuts (32.13 %, 7.15 % and 3.97 %). The result of the mineral content shows that, calcium, iron and manganese were higher in the dry nut than the fresh nut.Sugar composition result shows that sucrose and glucose were the prominent sugar present and were higher in the dried nut than in the fresh nut.The result of the vitamin compositions revealed that vitamin A was equally present in both fresh and dried nut, while fresh nut contained higher amount of vitamin B 1 (2.25 mg/100g) and B 3 (3.47 mg/100g) other vitamins were in traces in both nuts.The result of this study showed that both fresh and dried nuts of C. esculentus are of high nutritional value based on their proximate, mineral, vitamin and sugar contents. Keywords: Proximate, mineral, vitamin, sugar, nuts DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-16-05 Publication date: August 31 st 2021

Highlights

Cyperus esculentus (Tiger nut) is a noxious weed which belongs to the family of Cyperaceae
It produces rhizomes from the base and tubers that are spherical [2], and is known by various names like Chufa (Spanish), Earth Almond, Rush nut, Water grass, Zulu nut, Nut grass and edible rush [3][4]. The nut of this plant is known by various local languages in Nigeria as ‘Aya’ (Hausa), ‘Imumu’ or Ofio (Yoruba) and Aki Hausa (Ibo) [5]
It is found to be useful as a flavoring agent for ice cream and biscuits [10]. This nut contains a good quantity of vitamin B1, which assist in balancing the central nervous system and helps to encourage the body to adapt to stress

Summary

Introduction

Cyperus esculentus (Tiger nut) is a noxious weed which belongs to the family of Cyperaceae It produces rhizomes from the base and tubers that are spherical [2], and is known by various names like Chufa (Spanish), Earth Almond, Rush nut, Water grass, Zulu nut, Nut grass and edible rush [3][4]. It is found to be useful as a flavoring agent for ice cream and biscuits [10] This nut contains a good quantity of vitamin B1, which assist in balancing the central nervous system and helps to encourage the body to adapt to stress. It is used in the treatment of flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery and excessive thirst [11]. This research work intends to establish the nutritive values present in both the fresh and dried C. esculentus nut such as; nutrients, mineral, vitamins and sugar, in the Ogbomoso type of the nuts

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussions

Conclusion