Nutritional evaluation of nigerian dried okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seeds

Abstract

The proximate, functional properties, in-vitro multi enzyme protein digestibility and amino acid compositions of Nigerian dried okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seeds were evaluated. The ash, moisture, fat, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate of the okra seeds were: 4.8%, 13.5%, 39.9%, 8.82%, 26.4% and 6.62%, respectively. The water and oil absorption capacities were: 220% and 200% which makes okra seeds exhibit a high water retention capacity. The least gelation concentration was 8% while, emulsion capacity was 45.5% and foaming capacity and stability were: 12% and 2%, respectively. The in vitro protein digestibility was 69.3%. Glutamic acid was the most concentrated amino acid (121.1 mg/g crude protein) while, cystine (10.0 mg/g crude protein) was the least concentrated amino acid. The total amino acid was 706 mg/g crude protein.