“Estimation ofNutritional and Starch characteristics of fresh African bitter yarn commonly cultivated in the south eastern part of Nigeria:- Nnadi, Lucky O.

ABSTRACT

 This study is aimed at evaluating the starch characteristic and nutritional composition of fresh three leaf yam popular known as bitter yam. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical, proximate and mineral analyses of bitter yam were carried out on fresh samples. The results revealed the presence of bioactive constituents with carotenoid being the highest present with a percentage of 98.26mg/g. Other bioactive compounds include alkaloids (2.72%), Saponins (4.81%), Flavonoids (0.87%), Tannins (0.52%), phenol (1.50%), glycoside (0.07%) and cyanide (0.41mg/100g). Proximate analyses revealed the presence ofthe following substances in varying composition: crude fibre had the highest composition with a percentage of 37.50%, followed by carbohydrate with a percentage of 23.15% .others include protein (8.75%), moisture (19.00%), fats and oil (8.60%), and ash (3.0%).The results obtained from the quantitative analysis of the mineral content showed the presence of the following mineral; Fe (0.06mg/g), Mg (0.32mg/g), Na (0.28mg/g), Ca (0.02mg/g), P (0.08mg/g) while potassium (K) and manganese (Mn) were not detected. Finally, the starch characteristic of the sample were as follows: amylose content 25.80% and gelatinization temperature 85°C at 31 minutes time interval. The evaluation of the nutritional and starch characteristics have unveiled that this plant is culturally, socioeconomically and medically important. This present study recommends this plant food as diet and natural therapy for patients suffering from diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.