Morpho-physical and Nutritional Characterization of Seeds and Tubers of Sphenostylis stenocarpa (hochst ex a. Rich.) Harms

Comparative study of the morpho-physical characteristics of two varieties of seeds of Sphenostylis stenocarpa and the evaluation of the nutritional potential of seeds and tubers revealed significant differences in seed density and color. Black seeds are less bulky and denser (1.5 g/mm³) than brown seeds (1.2 g/m³). Seeds are richer in protein (23% and 27%) and fat (2%) than tubers (8-10 and 0.8-0.5%) while the last-mentioned are richer in starch (85%). Splitting of the fibers shows that the seeds are rich in soluble fibers at a high molecular weight while the tubers are rich in insoluble fibers. Sequential splitting of proteins reveals that salino-soluble and glutelin are the predominant protein groups of seeds and tubers of Sphenostylis stenocarpa. In regard to the salino-soluble, globulins are in the majority in seeds (38-41%) contrary to tubers (3%), and the last-mentioned are richer in albumins (44-56%) than seeds (1, 2-8%). Glutelin G2 and G3 are more concentrated in seeds (30-37%) than tubers (12%). Prolamins are present only in trace form in both organs..

Author(s): Wilfried Zanmenou, Pierre Dossou-Yovo

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