ASSESSMENT OF NON-FIBER CARBOHYDRATES, Β-GLUCANS, PECTIN, AND ANTINUTRIENTS IN INDIGENOUS NIGERIAN EDIBLE CROPS FOR FUNCTIONAL FOOD APPLICATIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1001-4538Keywords:
Antinutrients, Beta-glucan, Pectin, Soluble fiber, Short-chain fatty acidsAbstract
Dietary fibers such as soluble fiber, beta-glucan, and pectin play crucial roles in gut health and glycemic regulation, offering potential benefits for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite this, many indigenous Nigerian crops remain underexplored for their fiber composition and antinutrient contents. By employing standard biochemical assays, this study quantified soluble fiber, beta-glucan, and pectin levels, alongside saponin, tannin, and oxalate contents, in nineteen selected crops. It further assessed total short-chain fatty acid (TSCFA) production following fermentation with Lactobacillus species to evaluate fermentability and functional value. The highest non-fiber carbohydrates content was observed in Monodora myristica (20.28%), Piper nigrum (19.21%), and Moringa oleifera (13.14%). Helianthus annuus showed the highest beta-glucan (3.14%) and pectin (10.32%) levels, followed by Sorghum spontanea and Monodora myristica. Antinutrient analysis revealed Moringa oleifera contained the highest saponin (2.48 mg/100 g), tannin (1.12 mg/100 g), and oxalate (1.98 mg/100 g) levels. Fermentation results indicated significant TSCFA production in Hibiscus sabdariffa (0.09 M), Cyperus esculentus (large seed) (0.08 M), and Piper guineense (0.078 M), demonstrating good fermentability and prebiotic potential, whereas Sorghum durra and Eleusine coracana produced lower values. In conclusion, several underutilized Nigerian crops possess high levels of beneficial dietary fibers with promising fermentability, highlighting their potential as functional foods for glycemic control and gut microbiota modulation. However, their elevated antinutrient levels underscore the need for effective processing and detoxification strategies. Future research should investigate in vivo effects, microbial interactions, and crop improvement to optimize health benefits.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maimuna Muhammad Salihu, Emmanuel Haruna, Hassan Bala Salihu, Agu Perpetual Nkemdilim, Amos Alvan, Samson Baranzan Wayah
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