Nutritive and Phytate Contents of Raw and Fermented African Oil Bean Seeds

Abstract

Studies have shown that consumption of plant foods that contain high amount of phytate (phytic acid) is associated with decrease in nutrient absorption, mineral deficiency and low sperm count. Producing natural phytase without any health or environmental challenge targeted the main focus of many researchers. This study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritive and phytate contents of raw and fermented African Oil bean seeds (Pentaclethra macrophylla). Prepared raw and fermented Oil bean seeds were randomly purchased from various markets in Awka metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria, and their nutritive and phytic acid contents were determined using gravimetric and instrumentation techniques. The fermented PM seeds were screened for phytase-producing bacteria using standard plate technique. The data generated from the study were analyzed statistically using one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Student’s “t” test. The study revealed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in carbohydrate content (23.82±0.14, 2.12±0.01) non-significant (P > 0.05) reduction in ash (0.54±0.01, 0.17±0.00) and fiber contents (4.88±0.07, 1.33±0.01) increase in moisture (30.40±0.03, 42.13±0.11) and protein contents (17.84±0.21, 22.97±0.11) and significant (P < 0.05) reduction in phytic acid (26.48±0.14, 0.02±0.00) during fermentation. Therefore, this study has shown that seeds of Oil bean contain vital nutrients, and phytate, which decreased during fermentation.