STUDIES ON THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND TRADITIONAL POST-HARVEST PRACTICES OF SELECTED CROPS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the nutrient composition of five selected crops (viz; Bambara nut, Bread fruit, Bush mango, Cocoyam, and sweet potato); and their traditional post-harvest practices. Three different states viz; Rivers, Ebonyi and Akwa-Ibom states were chosen for this study. The crops selected for this study are perceived to be underutilized in the selected study areas, hence, the need to investigate the primary factors mitigating the maximum utilization of these crops. The samples were analysed for proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, crude protein, and carbohydrate) using AOAC standard methods. Data on the traditional post-harvest practices were collected directly from the farmers using structured questionnaire which contained relevant questions based on the objectives of the study. Results of the proximate composition revealed that these crops have rich nutrient composition. However, the overall nutrient composition of these crops varied across the three states. The protein content of bread fruit was 2.50±0.00% in the samples obtained from Rivers state; 14.20±0.00% in the samples obtained from Ebonyi state and 10.25±0.07% in the samples obtained from Akwa-Ibom state. The traditional post-harvest practices associated with these crops differed, with some practices peculiar to the root tubers (cocoyam and sweet potato) while others to the legumes (Breadfruit and Bambara nut) and Bush mango (a fruit). Deductively, poor postharvest handling practices, lack of improved storage facilities restrain the commercialization of these underutilized crops. Hence, the adoption of improved post-harvest technologies would enhance the utilization of these crops.
References
Abdulbaki, M.K., Awagu, E.F., Daramola, D.S., Okoroafor, C.H., Eneke, I.C., Nwachukwu, E.F., Oselebe, C.J., Ekeocha, C.E., Isiekwene, A.C., Ogodo, C.O., Isreal, D.U. & Inana, M.E. (2023). Effects of Different drying methods on the nutritional composition & microbial load of African bush mango (ogbono) seed. Procedings of the 47th NIFST Conference & Annual General meeting 2023 EBEANO. Pgs 437-442.
Adebowale, Y.A., Schwarzenbolz, U. & Henle, T. (2011). Protein isolates from Bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranean L.): chemical characterization and functional properties. International Journal of Food Properties, 14(4), 758775. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942910903420743. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10942910903420743
Adebowale, K.O. & Lawal O.S. (2002). Effect of annealing and heat moisture conditioning on the physicochemical characteristics of Bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea) starch. Nahrung Food, 46(5):311-316. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(02)00100-0
Adeoye, A.S., Oyewo, I.O., Marzu, J.T., Ojo-Fakuade, F. & Oke, O.O. (2023). Investigation of Chemical Composition and Proximate Properties of Bush Mango (Irvingia wombulu) Production Management and Ethno-medicinal Benefits of Rural Dwellers. KIU Journal of Social Sciences, 9(3): 177186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58709/niujss.v9i3.1724
Adeleke, O.R., Adiamo, O.Q., Fawale, O.S. & Olamiti, G. (2017). Effect of processing methods on antinutrients & oligosaccharides contents and protein digestibility of the flours of two newly developed Bambara groundnut cultivars. International Food Research Journal, 24(5):19481955. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v5i9.1006-1014.949
Adetunji, M. O. (2007). Economics of maize storage techniques by fanners in kwara state, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 4(3): 442445. https://doi.org/10.1080/10454440802537280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10454440802537280
Adeyeye, I.E. (2013). Proximate, mineral and antinutrient composition of Dika nuts (Irvingia gabonensis) kernel, Elixir Food Science. 2013 www.sdiarticle4.com.
Agboka, K., Tchegueni, M., Tounou, A. K., & Aziadekey, G. M. (2018). Diversity and production constraints of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) in dry savanna of Togo. International Journal of Development Research, 8(08), 22371-22378.
Amah A.K, Ogbodo E.C, Njoku C.M, Okhiai O, Amaechi I.P, Akunneh-wariso C.C, Ejiofor D.C, Iheukwumere C.B, Timothy C.O & Mbanaso E.L. (2018). Proxmate Composton of Cocoyam Varetes X. Sagttfolum (Red Cocoyam) and X. Atrovirens (White Cocoyam) Collected from Umuocham Market in Aba, Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria. International Journal of Medical Research & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5 (10): 8-12.
AOAC (2019). Official Methods of Analysis, 18th edition. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC.
Azeke, E.A., Kabuo, N.O., Okoroafor, C.H. & Ajiboye, O. (2020). Effect of Drying techniques on the Functional Properties of three varieties of sweet potato flour. Proceedings of the 44th NIFST Conference and Annual General meeting, at DPodium International Event Center, Ikeja, Lagos, pgs 281-282.
Bennett, V. & Isaiah, T.D. (2022). Proximate, Nutritional and Phytochemical Analysis of Treculia africana (African Breadfruit) Decne in South-South, Nigeria. World Journal of Innovative Research (WJIR), 12(4):19-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31871/WJIR.12.4.10
Braihma, Y. & Yola, I.A. (2023). Performance Evaluation of Natural Convection Indirect Solar Dryer for Drying White Yam Slices. FUDMA Journal of Sciences (FJS), 7(3): 71-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0703-1824
Ebonyi State Government (ESG). Ebonyi State Profile. (2021). Retrieved on January 11, 2022 from ESG website: http://www.ebonyistate.gov.ng
Ekundayo, F.O., Oladipupo, O.A. & Ekundayo E.A. (2003). Studies on the effects of microbial fermentation on Bush Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) seed cotyledons, African Journal of Microbiology Research 7. 2003 www.sdiarticle4.com.
Eleazu, C.O. & Ironual, C. (2013). Physicochemical composition and antioxidant properties of a sweetpotato variety (Ipomoea batatas L) commercially sold in South Eastern Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology, 12(7):720-727. https:// doi.org/10.5897/AJB12.2935.
El Sheikha, A.F. & Ray, R.C. (2017). Potential impacts of bioprocessing of sweet potato: Review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 57(3): 45571. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.960909. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.960909
Emendu, N.B. & Emendu, R.E. (2014). Proximate analysis, characterisation & utilization of Bambara nut oil (Mmanu Okpa). International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 4(9):1-5.
FAOSTAT (2021). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Statistical Database; Statistical Division; FAO: Rome, Italy, 2021; Available only http://www.fao.org/statistics/en/ (accessed on 5 February 2021).
Frazier W.C. & Westhoff, D.C. (2005). Food Microbiology. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Ltd, New Delhi, 173-185
Halimi, A.R., Barkla, B.J., Mayes, S. & King, G.J. (2019). The potential of the underutilized pulse Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) for nutritional food security. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 77(3):4759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2018.12.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2018.12.008
Hussin, H., Gregory, P.J., Julkifle, A.L., Sethuraman, G., Tan, X.L., Razi, F. & Azam-Ali, S.N. (2020). Enhancing the Nutritional Profile of Noodles with Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera): a food system approach. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 111. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00059
Kabir, B. G. J., Audu, A., Gambo, M. F., & Bukar, B. (2017). Evaluation of Cassia sieberiana (DC) and Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) infesting stored bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.). Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 20: 223230. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.2231
Krochmal-Marczak, B., Sawicka, B., Supski, J., Cebulak, T., Paradowska, K. & Pigonia, S. (2014). Nutrition value of the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cultivated in south eastern Polish conditions. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 4(4):169178.
Maina, A. W., Wagacha, J. M., Mwaura, F. B., Muthomi, J. W., & Woloshuk, C. P. (2016). Postharvest practices of maize farmers in Kaiti District, Kenya and the impact of hermetic storage on populations of Aspergillus spp. and aflatoxin contamination. Journal of Food Research, 5(6):53. https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v5n6p53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v5n6p53
Matikiti, A., Allemann, J., Kujeke, G., Gasura, E., Masekesa, T., & Chabata I. (2017). Nutritional composition of cocoyam (colocasia esculenta), grown in manical& province in Zimbabwe. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 7(3):48-55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.1005/2017.7.3/1005.3.48.55
Mato, M. (2025). Comparative Study of Proximate and Mineral Composition of Cocoyam (Cococasia Esculenta) Grown From Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe and Kaduna States of Northern Nigeria Garba. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM), 7(2): 632-646. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-0702632646
Mayes, S., Ho, W.K., Chai, H.H., Gao, X., Kundy, A.C., Mateva, K.I., Zahrulakmal, M., Hahiree, M.K.I.M., Kendabie, P., Licea, L.C.S., Massawe, F., Mabhaudhi, T., Modi, A.T., Berchie, J.N., Amoah, S., Faloye, B., Abberton, M., Olaniyi, O. & Azam Ali, S.N. (2019). Bambara groundnut: an exemplar underutilised legume for resilience under climate change. Planta, 250(3):803 820. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-019-03191-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-019-03191-6
Minka, S.R. & Bruneteau, M. (2000). Partial chemical composition of bambara pea [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verde]. Food Chemistry, 68(3):273-276. https:// doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(99)00186-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(99)00186-7
Mu, T., Sun, H., Zhang, M. & Wang, C. (2017). Sweet potato processing technology. 1st ed. London: Academic Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812871-8.00001-5
Muhd, I.U., Indee, A. M., Mohammed R.A., & Garba, A. A. (2018). Proxmate Analyss & Ant-Nutrtonal Composton of Processed and Raw Bambaranut (Vigna Subterranean) Seed Meal. Journal of Agriculture, Food Security & Sustainable Environment, 1(2):204-208.
Ngex. (2016). Learn about Rivers state. Retrieved on January 11, 2022 from: www.ngex.com/nigeria/places/states/rivers.htm
Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). (2020). Nigeria States: Akwa-Ibom. Retrieved on January 11, 2022 from NIPC website: www.nipc.gov.ng.
Njoroge, A. W., Baoua, I., & Baributsa, D. (2019). Triple bag hermetic storage delivers a lethal punch to Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored maize. Journal of Stored Products Research, 58:12-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2014.02.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2014.02.005
NSPRI (2018). Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) reacts to indiscriminate use of chemicals for storage of beans. Retrieved 08/11/2022 from https://fscluster.org/ne_nigeria/document/nigeria-stored-products-research.
Opata, P.I. & Ogbonna, P.E. (2015). Storage profitability and effectiveness of storage methods in yield loss reduction in cocoyam in South East Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(49):4496-4504. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2015.9756
Ogunsina, B.S., Bhatnagar, A.S., Indira, T.N., & Radha, C. (2012). The proximate composition of African bush mango kernels and characteristics of its oil. Ife Journal of Science, 14(1):177-182.
Osabor, V., Ogar, D., & Okafor, P. (2009). Profile of the African Bread Fruit (Treculia africana). Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(7):10051008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2009.1005.1008
Ouili S.A., Maiga Y., Ouoba A., Nankangr H., Compaor C.O.T., Nikima M., Ouedraogo M & Ouattara A.S (2022). Post-Harvest Management Practices Of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc) Seeds In Burkina Faso. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 18 (14):239. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n14p239 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n14p239
Oyeyinka, A.T., Pillay, K. & Siwela, M. (2019). In vitro digestibility, amino acid profile and antioxidant activity of cooked Bambara groundnut grain. Food Bioscience, 31(5):100428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2019.100428. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2019.100428
Qaku, X.W., Adetunji, A. & Dlamini, B.C. (2020). Fermentability and nutritional characteristics of sorghum Mahewu supplemented with Bambara groundnut. Journal of Food Science, 85(6): 16611667. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15154. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15154
Rose, M. & Vasanthakaalam, H. (2011). Comparison of the Nutrient composition of four sweet potato varieties cultivated in Rw&a Ingabire. Am. J. Food. Nutr, 1(1):34-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5251/ajfn.2011.1.1.34.38
Runsewe-Abiodun, T.I., Aliyu, A.O. & Oritogun, K.S. (2018). Evaluation of nutrients & anti-nutrient properties of traditionally prepared Treculia africana decne (bread fruit diet & toasted seeds). African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development, 18(2):13272-13286. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajf&.82.16630. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.82.16630
Shutt, V.M., Mwanja, P.Y., Affiah, D.U. & Edward, M.O. (2022). Occurrence of leaf blight of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) caused by Phytophthora colocasiae in Jos East L.G.A, Plateau State, Nigeria. African Phytosanitary Journal, 3(1):25-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52855/ESEA6165
Si, H., Zhang, N., Tang, X., Yang, J., Wen, Y., Wang, L. & Zhou, X. (2018). Transgenic Research in Tuber & Root Crops. Chapter 11 - Transgenic Research in Tuber & Root Crops: A Review. In: Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops, p. 22548. Academic Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-810439-2.00011-8
Sirivongpaisal, P. (2008). Structure and functional properties of starch and flour from bambarra groundnut. Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology, 30:51-56.
Tan, X.L., Azam-Ali, S., Goh, V.E., Mustafa, M., Chai, H.H., Ho, W.K., Mayes, S., Mabhaudhi, T., Azam-Ali, S. & Massawe, F. (2020). Bambara Groundnut: An Underutilized Leguminous Crop for Global Food Security and Nutrition. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7:1-16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.601496. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.601496
Truong, V.D., Avula, R.Y., Pecota, K.V. & Yencho, G.C. (2018). Sweet potato Production, Processing, and Nutritional Quality. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119098935.ch35
Ukom, A.N., Ojimelukwe, P.C. & Okpara, D.A. (2009). Nutrient composition of selected sweet potato [Ipomea batatas (L) Lam] varieties as influenced by different levels of nitrogen fertilizer application. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8(11):1791-1795. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2009.1791.1795. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2009.1791.1795
Williams, S. B., Baributsa, D., & Woloshuk, C. (2014). Assessing purdue improved crop storage ( PICS ) bags to mitigate fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination. Journal of Stored Products Research, 59:190196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2014.08.003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2014.08.003
Yao, D.N., Kouassi, K.N., Erba, D., Scazzina, F., Pellegrini, N. & Casiraghi, M.C. (2015). Nutritive evaluation of the Bambara groundnut Ci12 landrace [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae)] Produced in Cte dIvoire. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(9):2142821441. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160921428. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160921428
Zulkifli, N.A., Nor, M.Z.M., Omar, F.N., Sulaiman, A. & Mokhtar, M.N. (2021). Proximate composition of Malaysian local sweet potatoes. Food Research, 5(1):7379. https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.5(S1).045. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.5(S1).045
Copyright (c) 2025 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
