Some anti-nutritional and mineral contents of extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima)

Abstract

The edible extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) was investigated for some minerals and anti-nutritional factors. Results obtained, showed that while phytohaemagglutinin was absent, vanadium was very poor in the extra-cotyledon of this legume. However, oxalate, trypsin inhibitor, phytate and polyphenol were found to be present at 18.09 ± 2.29, 0.28 ± 0.00, 96.40 ± 0.20 and 65.00 ± 0.02 mg/100g respectively. The sample was also found to contain the following essential minerals: iron (3.32 ± 0.09), zinc (3.59 ± 0.01), copper (1.36 ± 0.01), sodium (1.51 ± 0.04), potassium (6.22 ± 0.48), calcium (83.37 ± 0.24), Phosphorus (28.75 ± 0.37), magnesium (14.65 ± 0.24) and manganese (11.52 ± 0. 13) mg/kg DM. Extra-cotyledonous deposit of Pride of Barbados is a good source of calcium and may serve as a cheap single source of a considerable number of essential minerals. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2006.