Effects of fermentation on the proximate, anti-nutrients, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids profiles of jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) seeds

Background: Fermentation has been recognized as one of the oldest ways of food processing that increase food quality by increasing nutrient bio-availability through the reduction in anti-nutrient compositions. The present study evaluated the effects of fermentation on nutrients and anti-nutrients composition of jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) seed. Methods: The seed of Z. mauritiana was fermented for 24 hr. Standard analytical procedures were used to analyse the proximate, minerals, amino acid, fatty acid and anti-nutrient compositions of the seed sample at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hr of fermentation. Results: The seed has high amounts of proteins, minerals, amino acids and low levels of anti-nutrients. The seed also has higher unsaturated than saturated fatty acids. Fermentation significantly increased the minerals compositions, decreases anti-nutrients and some amino acid levels but had no plausible effects (p>0.05) on proximate contents of the seed. Fermentation for 6 and 12 hr had no significant (p <0.05) effect on the fatty acids, however, at 18 and 24 hr a significant (p<0.05) reduction in fatty acid were recorded. On the basis of nutrient retention, the most plausible and positive effects of the fermentation on Z. mauritiana were observed at ≤ 12 of fermentation. Conclusion: Ziziphus mauritiana seed could be employed as an alternative source of nutrients for humans and animals. However, fermentation of Z. mauritiana should be done for a period of ≤ 12 hr if necessary

Growth performances and nutrient compositions of pabda Ompokbimaculatus (Bloch, 1797) grown in recirculating and closed aquaculture systems

This study evaluated the growth performances and nutrient compositions of pabda Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1797) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and a closed aquaculture system (CAS). The average daily weight gain (ADG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of pabda in RAS (ADG: 0.18 g/d; SGR: 3.40 %/d) was 3.61- and 1.41-folds higher than that of the CAS (ADG: 0.05 g/d; SGR: 2.40 %/d). Fish had significantly higher level of PUFA (Poly-unsaturated fatty acid) in CAS (41%) than in RAS (33%). The ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in RAS and CAS were 0.73 and 0.69, respectively. This study’s results have demonstrated that the culture of pabda in RAS is more suitable than CAS in terms of growth. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 47(1): 1-12, June 2021

Effect of Some Chemical Mutagens on Nutrient Compositions of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam)

Effects of sodium azide (SA) and colchicine (COL) (chemical mutagens) on some nutrient compositions of four varieties of sweetpotato (Butter milk, TIS87/0087, UMUSPO/3 and UMUSPO/1) were investigated at the Biotechnology Laboratory of the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Nigeria. The parent plants were treated with sodium azide and colchicine mutagens at concentrations of 0%, 0.03%, 0.05% and 0.07%. Storage roots of the M2V2 generations from the mutant plants were used for the nutrient composition analysis using recommended standard procedures. Nutrient traits studied were: moisture content (%), dry matter content (%), amylose and amylopectin contents (%), starch yield (%), starch content % based on fresh weight and starch content % based on dry weight. Mutants with higher dry matter content than the control were observed in TIS87/0087 treated with SA and COL 0.03%. SA and COL 0.05% produced mutants with higher amylose content (and lower amylopectin) than the control in TIS87/0087. UMUSPO/3 treated with SA 0.03% and SA 0.05% produced mutants with higher values for amylose content (and lower values for amylopectin) than the control; the same variety treated with colchicine (COL 0.05%), recorded higher value for amylose content (and lower value for amylopectin) than the control. These findings showed that sodium azide and colchicine mutagens were potent in inducing variations in nutrient composition of sweetpotato.

Proximate and micronutrient compositions of four different cultivars of aubergine (Solanum melongena)

Aubergine or Garden egg is a vegetable commonly chewed as such and served as kolanut within the southeast part of Nigeria. The aim of the study is to determine the proximate and micronutrient compositions of four different cultivars of aubergine (Solanum melongena). Four cultivars of aubergine, namely Solanum anguivi - A, Solanum aethiopicum (gilo group) - B, Solanum macrocarpon - C, and Solanum aethiopicum (kumba group) - D, were purchased from the Eke-ukwu market in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Proximate compositions were determined using the standard AOAC methods. Mineral determination was carried out by using methods incorporating wet digestion while Vitamins were determined by using specific methods appropriate for each vitamin. The proximate analysis results of the samples showed that moisture content ranged from 80.29% for sample C to 90.63% for sample B; fat ranged from 1.40 (sample A) to 4.00 (sample C); Ash: 0.52 - 0.76 (C - A); Protein: 3.94 - 8.31 (A - C); Crude fibre: 2.02 - 2.86 (C - A); Carbohydrate: 0.47 - 4.86 (B - C). The micro-nutrient compositions showed that vitamin A ranged from 475.18i.u. (sample B) to 528.06i.u. (sample A); Vitamin C: 908.6 - 2929.65 mg/100g (A - C); Calcium: 97.95 - 586.02ppm (D - A); Magnesium: 80.63 - 106.31ppm (B - A); Iron: 10.14 - 14.97ppm (C - A). The four cultivars of aubergine contained fair amounts of macronutrients in addition to the substantial amounts of micronutrients. In all, Solanum anguivi cultivar was the richest of the four in nutrient compositions, and, therefore, the most preferred.

Effects of fermentation on the nutritional status of Afzelia africana Sm. seed and its potentiality as aqua feedstuff

The effects of fermentation on proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of Afzelia africana seed were investigated. Two methods of fermentation were employed; the traditional fermentation (TF) and gut-filtrate treated fermentation (GFTF). Anti-nutrients tested for were; alkaloids, phytate, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. All proximate contents varied significantly (P<0.05), except for ash. Afzelia africana fermented with cow gut filtrate poised the highest protein (19.35%), ash (4.20%) and lipid (32.13%) contents. The effects of cow gut filtrate fermentation on the nutritional status of A. Africana seed was only apparently (P>0.05) more pronounced than those of the natural fermentation. Fermentation significantly (P<0.05) increased the proximate nutrients except for nitrogen free extracts; which it reduced significantly. Fermentation also increased all anti-nutrients composition of the seeds except for phytate content. Fermentation significantly (P<0.05) enhanced crude protein by 30.45% for NF, 39.31% for GFTF and crude lipid by 77.64% for TF and 99.56% for GTFT. Thus fermenting Afzelia africana seed for aquaculture purpose is advocated for owing to its ability to enhance crude protein and crude lipid, not forgetting its medicinal potential due to its enhanced phytochemical levels.

Comparative study of the carcass characteristics and nutrient composition of three species of giant African land snail

A comparative study was carried out on three breeds of snails in southeastern Nigeria to assess their carcass characteristic and carcass nutrient compositions. The three breeds used were Achatina fulica, Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain concentrate + pawpaw (Diet I), concentrate + Moringa oleifera (Diet II), concentrate + Moringa oleifera+ African spinach + Amaranthus hybridus (Diet III) and concentrate + Moringa oleifera+Amaranthus spinosus (Diet IV). Fifteen 6-month old growing snails of each breed was assigned per dietary treatment and each dietary treatment was replicated three times to contain five snails per replicate, given a total of one hundred and eighty snails. The experiment involved a 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were given ad libitum throughout the duration of the experiment which lasted (56 days). At the end of the experiment, a total of seventy-two (72) snails were starved and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Carcass nutrient compositions were measured including dry matter, moisture content, ash, crude fibre, crude protein, fat and nitrogen free extract. The results showed that the highest foot weight (57.50%) was observed in snails fed diet I, associated with relatively high live weight and highly reduced offal weight, which makes it comparatively better in improving carcass. The A. fulica, A achatina and A. marginata obtained best carcass composition respectively on diets I, III and II due to interaction effect of breed x diet. The A. achatina and A. marginata had higher dry matter (91.64 and 92.07 respectively) than the A fulica (90.09). The A. marginata carcass had the higher (p<0.05) crude protein (32.78%), highest ash (9.17%) and a moderate fat content (1.59%). Based on overall interaction effects, diet I is recommended for A. fulica, while diet III for A. marginata and diet II for A. marginata. The A. marginata performed better than the A. achatina and A. fulica in highest crude protein, highest ash and a moderate fat content and is thus recommended.