Abstract
Eight varieties which comprise of three indigenous cowpeas {Vigna vexillata (otili), Stenocarpa stylosa (feregede), and Phaseolus vulgaris (kokondo)} Glycine max (soya beans), and the four new hybrids of Vigna unguiculata (big white, small white, drum, and honey beans) were analyzed for proximate, elemental, methyl fatty acid, total flavonoids, total phenolic contents and anti-oxidant contents. AOCA standard method was used for proximate analysis, the methanolic extracts of the cowpea were analysed for fatty acid and fatty acid methyl ester composition by Gas Chromatography- Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Total Antioxidant Content (TAC) and 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays were used to measure the antioxidant activities of the samples. Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) were also determined. The result shows that sample A has a balance proportion of food chemical composition and sample H (Phaseolus vulgaris) is richest in Na, Zn, Mg, Mn while sample D (Big white cowpeas) is the richest in Cu. The result of fatty acids shows sample A (soya beans) as the richest in the essential fatty acids C18:3n6 Ï-LinolenicAcid(1.66%), C18:3n3 α-Linolenic Acid (4.86%), C22:2 cis-13, 16-Docosadienoic Acid(5.84%) (omega 3 and 6 fatty acids), while the indigenous Cowpeas were rich in the healthy monosaturated Fatty acids in an appreciable percentage and the commonest saturated fatty acids in plants (Palmitic and Stearic fatty acids only). Only sample E has essential fatty acids out of the four hybrids.
Highlights
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a crop which plays a significant role in the diet of Nigerians [1]
The aim of this study is to carry out the proximate analysis of some hybrids of cowpeas, the indigenous cowpeas that are almost going into extinction and that of soya beans, determine the fatty acid composition of their methanolic extract and carry out the anti-oxidant properties of the cowpeas extracts
The results of parameters range of proximate analysis of both indigenous and improved hybrids is as shown in Table 1a; % Moisture 7.85-11.8.; % Ash: 3.65-6.04; % Crude Fibre:0.45-2.52; Ether Extract: 2.0219.55; Crude Protein: 16.19- 36.75; % Carbohydrate (0.84- 67.49)
Summary
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a crop which plays a significant role in the diet of Nigerians [1]. It is one of the cultivated species of genus Vigna. Cowpea grain and leaves are edible products, cheap and are rich sources of protein. The seed provide important vitamins, phyto-nutrients including antioxidants besides carbohydrates, minerals and trace elements. It is an important source of food for humans, and the leaves can be used as feed for livestock [7,8]. It is a shade tolerant plant, can be planted with other crops such as maize and millet in a subsistence farming system [8,9]
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