Proximate and Amino Acid Analyses of the Rhizome of Nymphaea lotus (Water Lily)

Abstract

The proximate composition and the amino acid profile analyses of the rhizome of Nymphaea lotus (water lily) were carried out based on standard methods reported by the association of official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results of the proximate analysis showed that Nymphaea lotus rhizome had moisture content of 48.83±3.22; crude protein 4.23±0.06; crude fibre 5.00±1.50; ash content 4.67±0.17; high available carbohydrate 35.44 ± 0.01 and energy value 742.10 kJ/100 g. The crude lipid content was low 1.83±0.60. The study detected seventeen different amino acids. The amino acid content in g/100 g protein content was: lysine = 3.11, histidine= 1.82, arginine= 4.25, aspartic acid = 7.60, threonine= 2.19, serine= 3.02, glutamic acid= 9.68, proline= 2.34, glycine= 3.06, alanine= 3.40, cycteine= 0.73, valine= 3.37, methionine= 1.09, isoleucine= 2.35, leucine= 8.24, tyrosine= 2.25 and phenylalnine= 3.72. The studied revealed that glutamic acid, aromatic acids, leucine and aspartic acid were the predominant amino acids. All essential amino acids were found to be higher than WHO/FAO/UNU requirement pattern for adults while leucine was found to be higher than the requirement pattern for preschool children. Lysine however was found to be the most limiting amino acid for preschool children. The presence of these compounds of nutritive value, as well as high energy value suggests that Nymphaea lotus rhizome could serve as a food supplement for livestock and humans.