Chemical Composition, Cacium, Zinc and Phytate Interrelationships in Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Seed Flour

摘要

The chemical, nutritive and antinutritive values of Baobab seed flour were determined. The seed has very high content of protein 48.3% and moderately high content of carbohydrate 21.9%. The most abundant mineral in the seed flour is K 536 mg/100 g followed by Mg 352 mg/100 g. The least abundants are Zn (3.40 mg/100 g), Cu (4.26 mg/100 g) and Mn (5.23 mg/100 g). The levels of Na/K, Ca/P and Ca/Mg in the seed flour are desirable when compared with the recommended values. The antinutritional factors showed the presence of flavonoid, tannic acid, saponin and alkaloid with value ranging from 0.65 to 6.48%. Other antinutrients are cyanide, polyphenols, phytate and oxalate. Their low values showed that the seeds may be recommended for human consumption. The prediction of Zn availability was determined using Phy:Zn, Ca:Phy and Ca xPhy/Zn molar ratios which indicate an adequate availability of Zn.