EVALUATION OF NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF TIGER NUT (CYPERUS ESCULENTUS)

Abstract

 Phytochemical screening, elemental analysis, proximate composition, vitamins and amino acid contents were analyzed using standard methods. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycoside, flavonoids, phytates and oxalates were all found to be present. Results of chemical analysis showed that tiger nut is rich in carbohydrate (47.04%) and lipid content (24.50%), it is also a good source of fiber (26.76%) and has a substantial amount of protein (7.82%). Result of elemental analysis in mg/100g showed that it is a good source of Iron (4.75), Magnesium (94.98), Calcium (100.00), Sodium (37.97) and Zinc (3.70). Tiger nut is also a good source of vitamin with vitamin E present at a concentration of (120.5ug/g) and vitamin C at (30.90ug/g), while Vitamin B complexes were also present. The result of amino acid composition revealed that tiger nut is rich in essential amino acid such as lysine, threonine, leucine, phenylalanine and cysteine. The result of this study thus shows that tiger nut is rich in nutritive contents, and therefore provides important information which will enable its enhanced utilization, increased production and help promote food security.