The nutritive value of nigerian jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis)

Abstract

Seeds of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) were subjected to standard chemical analysis to evaluate its properties. Results of the proximate composition showed a considerable high protein contents (24.66±0.02%). The percentage oil in the seeds was very low, 1.99%, moderate moisture contents, 10.49%; high ash content, 3.55%; the crude fibre was 9.90%; nitrogen 3.94% and energy per gramme of seed was 353.79 Kcal. The seeds averaged 1.67 g in weight and the pH of a 10% w/v aqueous suspension at 20oC was 4.80. The light yellow oil extracted which has beany flavour composed of the following characteristics free fatty acids, 7.33±0.32; acid and saponification values of 14.66±0.64 and 140.25±0.01 (mg.KOH.g-1) respectively; iodine value 35.98; refractive index at 20oC, 1.4751