Abstract
Tigernut, or Cyperus esculentus L, is a tuber that grows and is frequently consumed in West Africa. Tigernut tuber is highly nutritive with high starch, glucose and proteins contents. It's high in minerals (including phosphorus and potassium), as well as vitamins C, D, and B1, which all assist to improve antioxidant activity. It can be consumed raw or dried and combined with roasted peanuts. The minerals, vitamins and phytochemical contents of tigernut were analyzed using accepted methods after the minerals value of the plant tubers were carefully pounded and grounded to paste. The presence of Tannin, Terpenes, Phenol, and Steroids were discovered as a result of phytochemical research in trace and in moderate concentration. Tigernut was found to contain 0.5305% phytochemicals. Phenol had a concentration of 0.236%, Saponin had a concentration of 0.167%, Glycosides had a concentration of 0.124%, Steroids had a concentration of 0.0028%, Tannin had a concentration of 0.0018%, and Terpenes had a concentration of 0.0017%. Also, the minerals assay revealed the presence of presence of calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe2+), magnesium (Mg2+), manganese (Mn2+) and phosphorous (P+) in the tigernut tuber sample. Highest mineral element found was potassium (K+) and least was zinc with values of 4478.76 mg/kg and 0.589 mg/kg respectively. Tigernut tubers also contains high levels of vitamin C, B1, and D. Vitamin D was present in higher concentrations in (µg/100g) of (22.79 µg/100g) followed by vitamin C (5.76 mg/100g) and vitamin B1 (2.38 mg/100g). The result showed that tigernut tuber contain appreciable number of minerals, vitamins and low level of phytochemicals and could contribute to the recommended dietary allowance of the body.
Highlights
IntroductionCyperus esculentus is a monocotyledonous plant that belongs to the Cyperaceae family [17], which contains about 4000 species
Cyperus esculentus is a monocotyledonous plant that belongs to the Cyperaceae family [17], which contains about 4000 species.Tiger nut is a perennial grass that thrives in moist regions and is frequently found as a weed, on fields where vegetables are grown 17]
Phenol had a concentration of 0.236 percent, Saponin had a concentration of 0.167 percent, Glycosides had a concentration of 0.124 percent, Steroids had a concentration of 0.0028 percent, Tannin had a concentration of 0.0018 percent, and Terpenes had a concentration of 0.0017 percent
Summary
Cyperus esculentus is a monocotyledonous plant that belongs to the Cyperaceae family [17], which contains about 4000 species. Tiger nut is a perennial grass that thrives in moist regions and is frequently found as a weed, on fields where vegetables are grown 17]. The plant grows to a height of 1-3 ft and pollination occurs by the wind. It grows mainly in the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. Chufa, flats edge, rush nut, water grass, earth almond, northern nut grass, and nut grass are some of its other names. Tigernuts grow near rivers and are commonly produced on a modest scale by indigenous farmers in Nigeria's northern areas
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