Determination Of The Chemical Composition Of Dioscorea Dumetorum, Seven Varieties Of Colocasia And Xanthosoma

ABSTRACT 

Proximate composition, phytochemicals, some mineral constituents and vitamins of flours produced from the tubers of Dioscorea dumetorum and varieties of Colocasia and Xanthosoma were evaluated. The results showed that Xanthosoma contained (dry matter) 75.5% carbohydrate, 10.95% moisture, 6.93% crude protein, 3.58% either extract and 2.1% ash. Dioscorea dumetorum contained 69.40% carbohydrate, 12.90% moisture, 3.16% crude protein, 4.90% either extract and 4.60% ash. Phytochemical analysis showed that caladium species had significantly higher levels (P<O.05) of oxalate (10.10%) and cyanogenic glycosides (5.20%) than the rest of the samples. The samples were found to be rich sources of macro minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, copper, zinc and manganese ) as well as some trace elements (such as lead, arsenic, etc) Vitamins A and C were the most abundant vitamins with values ranging from 4.50-820.4 100g and 8.64-96.24 mg/100g, respectively.