Assessment of Nutritional Composition, Qualitative Phytochemical Profile, and GC-MS Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Fermented Seeds of Parkia Biglobosa (African Locust Bean)
Aug 2026· RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND QUALITY CONTROL· 0 citations
Abstract
Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don (African locust bean; Hausa: ‘Dorawa’) is a
multipurpose leguminous tree of the family Fabaceae whose fermented seed condiment —
locally known as ‘dawadawa’ or ‘iru’ — is a culturally significant protein- and flavour-rich
food ingredient across West and Central Africa. The present study investigated the proximate
nutritional composition, qualitative phytochemical constituents, and volatile bioactive
compounds (by GC-MS) of fermented P. biglobosa seed. Proximate analysis (AOAC, 2000)
revealed a high crude protein content (25.62 ± 0.28%), total carbohydrate (44.96 ± 0.22%),
crude lipid (8.11 ± 0.04%), crude fibre (5.59 ± 0.11%), ash (3.80 ± 0.05%), and moisture
(11.92 ± 0.03%). Qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract confirmed the
presence of saponins, steroids, alkaloids, and glycosides, while tannins, flavonoids, cardiac
glycosides, and phenolics were absent. GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extract identified 50
bioactive compounds; the most abundant were tetradecane (10.89%), oxalic acid (10.84%),
tridecane (8.94%), heptafluorobutyric acid (7.78%), dodecyl vinyl ester (5.75%), and
2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane (5.16%). The high protein and carbohydrate contents affirm
the well-established nutritional significance of African locust bean as a low-cost protein
supplement and energy source. The diverse array of identified phytochemicals supports the
ethnomedicinal use of P. biglobosa and highlights its potential as a source of bioactive lead
compounds for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Dried fruits of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (jujube) and Doum Palm (Hyphaene thebaica Mart.)
are widely consumed and traded in markets across the Sudano-Sahelian belt of Nigeria, yet
their comparative nutritional and phytochemical profiles remain insufficiently documented.
This study determined the proximate composition and characterized the volatile bioactive
constituents of methanolic extracts of both fruits using Gas Chromatography–Mass
Spectrometry (GC-MS). Proximate analysis (AOAC, 2005) showed that Doum Palm fruits
(Sample A) contained significantly higher ash content (8.32 ± 0.0011%), crude fibre (7.04 ±
0.1202%), and crude protein (2.59 ± 0.0092%) compared to Z. mauritiana fruits (Sample B),
while Z. mauritiana recorded higher moisture (10.73 ± 0.0566%), crude lipid (1.01 ±
0.1273%), and carbohydrate (77.03 ± 0.3701%) contents. GC-MS profiling of methanolic
extracts identified 60 compounds in each fruit. The dominant constituents of Doum Palm
extract were 1-Hepten-3-one (8.97%), Furfural (8.82%), 1-Decanol (5.96%), and Dodecane
(4.16%), while the Z. mauritiana extract was characterised by 2-Propenoic acid (8.97%), 3
Furaldehyde (8.82%), C2-Octyl compound (5.12%), and 1-Dodecanol (5.96%). The diversity
of bioactive compounds detected — including fatty acids, furan derivatives, alcohols, and
terpenoids — supports the established ethnomedicinal value of both fruits and highlights their
potential as sources of nutraceuticals and natural bioactive agents. Both fruits constitute
nutritionally valuable food commodities suitable for integration into pesticidal, dietary, and
pharmaceutical applications.
A. A.· INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHE...· 0 citations
Rosa canina L. (rose hip) is an underutilized wild fruit with high potential as a natural ingredient for functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study evaluated the proximate composition, mineral content, and bioactive compounds in whole fruit powders from eight Iranian R. canina populations, aiming to identify suitable materials for food industry applications. Fruits were collected from different regions and analyzed using standard methods including proximate analysis, ICP MS, HPLC, and spectrophotometry. Significant diversity was found among populations. The Saveh population showed the highest carbohydrate (39.46%), fat (1.89%), and energy value (187.13 kcal/100 g), along with the strongest antioxidant activity (34.30 μmol Fe²⁺/g) and total phenolic content (92.87 mg GAE/g). The Sonqor population was richest in protein (3.71%) and dietary fiber (2.41%), while Mahabad and Ajabshir stood out for specific minerals (potassium, magnesium, iron) and pigments (anthocyanins, carotenoids). Among phenolic compounds, catechin was most abundant, and ferulic acid levels were consistent across all populations. Vitamin C content ranged from 95.34 to 397.13 mg/100 g, with the highest value in Yasuj. These results suggest that specific populations, particularly Saveh, Mahabad, and Ajabshir, can serve as natural fortificants or base ingredients for developing functional food products to enhance nutritional quality and provide antioxidant benefits. This study offers practical insights for the selective use of R. canina in the food industry, supporting regional sourcing and value-added product innovation
Ghasem Eghlima, Z. Bakhtiar, Hanifeh Seyed Hajizadeh et al.· Phytoresearch and Technology· 1 citation
The unbalanced nutrient density and low microbiological quality of many complementary foods are still the primary causes of infant malnutrition in poorer countries. In this study, complementary food was produced using blends of grain amaranth, African yam bean, and carrot flour. The resultant complementary food was analysed for proximate, mineral, antinutrients, antioxidant compositions, vitamin C, beta-carotene, microbial properties, and sensory evaluations. Principal component analysis was also used to assess nutrient clustering and separate the nutrients into components. The samples demonstrated a rich nutritional profile, with protein content ranging from 4.07 to 26.45%, carbohydrates (53.90-87.66%), fibre (0.08-1.92%), moisture (4.94-7.17%), and energy values between 373.85 and 415.47 kcal/100 g. All the samples have a high mineral content and an Na/K ratio of ~1 or below. The antioxidant properties increased with increasing concentration, with values ranging from 62.98 to 73.09% and from 4.74 to 97.10 mg AAE/g for DPPH and FRAP, respectively. No fecal contamination was observed in any of the samples. The samples, except the control, had bacterial growth ranging from 1.41 to 1.60 log10 (CFU/g). The sample with higher inclusion of African Yam Bean Seeds and the control were more preferred in terms of sensory properties. The PCA showed that the vectors for sodium, potassium, vitamin C, and β-carotene pointed strongly toward the positive side of PC2. Overall, the formulated blends demonstrate strong potential as affordable, nutrient-dense, and microbiologically safe complementary foods for infant and young child feeding.
F. Isaac-Bamgboye, Bukola S. Salami, Daniel S. Ajewole et al.· Recent Progress in Nutrition· 0 citations
This study provides a targeted bioactive lipid and nutritional profile of the under-investigated leaves of Vitex agnus-castus L. An absolute methanolic extract of shade-dried leaves was analysed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after derivatization, alongside essential mineral quantification via atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and proximate analysis. Rigorous data validation excluded analytical artefacts. GC/MS tentatively identified ten validated bioactive compounds, predominantly glycerol (45.21%, a lipid hydrolysis artefact), oleic acid (9.89%), and palmitic acid (9.16%), alongside phytosterols stigmasterol (1.14%) and ergosterol (0.84%). AAS revealed rich essential trace elements, specifically iron (49.8 ppm) and zinc (33.8 ppm). Proximate analysis showed moisture (7.15%), ash (9.53%), protein (13.42%), crude fibre (26.05%), fat (4.25%), and carbohydrates (39.60%). The combination of high crude fibre, moderate protein, and skin-compatible fatty acids highlights V. agnus-castus leaves as realistic raw materials for fibre-fortified animal feed, dietary fibre supplements, and topical cosmeceutical formulations, providing a solid foundation for future therapeutic exploration.
Wafa Thabet, Saeed Salem Mohammed, Khaled Saeed Alsweedi et al.· Natural Product Research· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Guar ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is a valuable and multifunctional summer legume crop that is widely exploited for seed gum extraction due to the presence of galactomannan in the seed endosperm, as well as for its protein‐rich by‐products (germ and hull), which are extensively used in various industries. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value, bioactive compounds, and functional characteristics of seeds from fifteen guar genotypes in order to identify superior genotypes for breeding programs and industrial applications. In this study, a wide range of key traits was assessed, including seed gum percentage (SG), gum viscosity, dry matter digestibility (DMD), protein, fiber, total oil, ash, tannin, total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and carotenoids. Seed gum content varied from 25.7% in the Pishen genotype to 32.8% in the RGC‐986 genotype. Similarly, gum viscosity ranged from 2353.67 to 3466.67 cP, with the highest value observed in RGC‐986. Dry matter digestibility differed markedly among genotypes, ranging from 43.37% in Pishen to 51.97% in RGC‐986, reflecting genotypic variation in seed nutritional quality. Fiber and protein contents also showed considerable variability, with ranges of 10.57%–12.95% and 25.33%–33.33%, respectively, and RGC‐986 exhibited the highest values for both traits. Antioxidant‐related attributes, including TAC and carotenoids, varied significantly among genotypes; to enable simultaneous selection of superior genotypes based on multiple nutritional and functional traits, the multi‐trait genotype–ideotype distance index (MGIDI) was applied. According to this index, genotype BR‐99, with the lowest MGIDI value (2.04), was identified as the most desirable genotype, followed by RGC‐986 with a value of 2.45. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the considerable genetic variability among guar genotypes in terms of nutritional, biochemical, and functional traits, and demonstrate the potential of exploiting this diversity in breeding programs aimed at developing guar cultivars with enhanced nutritional value and improved industrial performance.
W. ShariffAl-Sheikh, Hussam F. Najeeb Alawadi, A. F. Jabbar et al.· Food Science & Nutrition· 0 citations
The primary objective of the present study was to formulate and test a plant-based ketogenic soup using sunflower and sesame seeds as the primary fat sources. Five formulations were created with varying ratios of these seeds, and a standard cream of vegetable soup was used as a control. Sensory evaluation (9-point hedonic scale) revealed that colour, flavour, taste, consistency, and overall acceptability were highest for KS A. The proximate analysis of the ketogenic soups showed higher protein content (8.96-10.46%), fat content (51.02-54.42%), fibre content (2.63-3.45%), and energy content (542.18-569.50 kcal) than the control, whereas carbohydrate content was significantly lower (10.24-11.41%). Colour measurements indicated good visual quality, with moderate differences from the control sample. The optimised formulation, KS A, was selected based on sensory, colour, and nutritional evaluations. The optimised formulation had a fat-to-carbohydrate and protein ratio of ~2.73:1, which falls within the range recommended for a ketogenic diet. The use of sunflower and sesame seeds as alternatives to traditional animal-derived ketogenic ingredients enabled the formulation to be suitable for plant-based diets. KS A was analysed for minerals, and essential minerals were identified, enhancing its nutritional profile. The microbiological evaluation showed low total plate counts and yeast and mould counts, while coliforms and Escherichia coli were absent, indicating satisfactory microbiological quality and hygienic processing conditions. The results indicate that the developed ketogenic soup has good sensory characteristics, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate nutritional composition, and acceptable safety features. Thus, KS A shows potential as a functional plant-based ketogenic food. Shelf-life and storage stability studies are recommended to support commercial development.
Yogita Rahul Mirajkar, Pravin Patil, A. K. Sahoo· Asian Food Science Journal· 0 citations
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