Nutritional potential of underutilized gum arabic tree seeds (acacia nilotica) and locust bean seeds (Parkia biglobosa)

Acacia nilotica seed (ANS) and Parkia biglobosa seed (PBS) are underutilised legume found to have health benefits and functional properties. Th is study determined nutrient composition of A . nilotica and P. biglobosa seed s . ANS and PBS were collected and processed properly for c hemical analysis. The proximate, minerals, vitamins, essential amin o - acids, and antinutri ent composition were analyzed to ascertain nutritional attributes and its potential in promoting dietary diversity . The raw and fermented A . nilotica se eds contained in g/100 g , protein (12.88 to 15.3 8), fat (3.29 to 4.91), ash (5.24 to 6.84), dietary fibre (1.98 to 2.66) and available carbohydrate (69.63 to 71.73), whil e the FPB contained in g/100 g, protein (18.30), fat (9.20), ash (8.69), dietary fibre (2.61), and available carbohydrate (56.27). The fermented A . nilotica (FAN) seed contained all the nine (9) essential amino acids. The raw and fermented ANS contained in mg/100 g , iron (9.67 to 12.23), zinc (0.69 to 1.13), calcium (0.17 to 0.22), sodium (0.14 - 0.21 ) while the F PB seed contained 14.86, 1.59, 0.25, and 0.24 , respecti vely. FAN and FPB contained in μg/100 g, vitamin A (148.79 and 197.81), vitamin E (15.90 and 24.69) and vitamin K (1.41 and 1.63) , respectively. The levels of antinutrient factors in all the samples were not significant. Fermented A . nilotica seed contained adequate level of some micronutrients and essential amino acids. Consumption of the seed should therefore be promoted