nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of bridelia ferruginea benth (euphorbiaceae) stem bark...

International Journal of Scientific Research in Knowledge, 2(2), pp. 92-104, 2014

Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.com/ijsrk

ISSN: 2322-4541; ©2014 IJSRPUB

http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsrk-2014-p0092-0104

92

Full Length Research Paper

Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Composition of Bridelia Ferruginea Benth

(Euphorbiaceae) Stem Bark Sample

Adesina Adeolu Jonathan1*

, Akomolafe Seun Funmilola2

1Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, PMB 5363, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

2Department of Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, PMB 5363, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Email: [email protected]

Received 06 December 2013; Accepted 11 January 2014

Abstract. Nutritional composition of Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark sample was evaluated. The

percentage protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrate contents were: 15.7 ± 0.30, 5.45± 0.05, 4.35 ± 0.06 and 60.7 ± 0.71 respectively

while the total gross energy was 1501kJ/100g. The mineral composition ranged from 0.25 to 74.2 mg/100g, with phosphorus

being the most concentrated. The K/Na ratio (1.80) was higher than 1.0 recommended. The mineral safety index computation

showed only Zn to be in excess based on the recommended daily allowance (RDA). The amino acid contents ranged between

0.597 – 13.1 g/100g. All the essential amino acids were present in varying amount with Isoleucine being the most

concentrated. The % TEAA and % TNEAA were: 47.8 and 52.2 respectively. The P-PER (predicted protein efficiency ratio),

pI (Isoelectric point) and EAAI (essential amino acid index) values were: 1.69, 5.14, 1.18 respectively. Based on the whole

hen’s egg amino acid scoring pattern, methionine was limiting while with respect to FAO/WHO provisional amino acid

scoring pattern and essential amino acid scoring pattern based on the requirements of pre-school child Met + Cys was limiting.

The anti-nutritional factors analyzed; phytates, tannins, oxalates, phenolic content, saponins, phytin phosphorus and alkaloids

in the sample were lower than the range of values reported for most vegetables. This study revealed that the Bridelia

ferruginea stem bark consumed in Ekiti State and other states in the South-western part of Nigeria can contribute useful

amount of nutrients to human diet.

Keywords: Nutritional, anti-nutritional composition, Bridelia ferruginea stem bark

1. INTRODUCTION

Forage trees and shrubs play an essential and multiple

roles in the balance of the Sahelian and Sudanian

ecosystems exploited by man and his animals. This

role becomes more important as the dry season grows

longer, and decreases as the mean annual rainfall

increases. It therefore grows less important from north

to south according to the rainfall gradient, which is

about 1 mm per km, or 110 mm per each degree of

latitude. Throughout West Africa, especially in areas

prone to drought, previous studies demonstrate the

importance of edible wild plants as food sources

(Grivetti et al., 1987; Sena et al., 1998). Commonly,

drought is associated with inadequate food intake and

disease, where food scarcity and inadequate dietary

intakes clearly have led to increased incidence of

malnutrition and famine (Franke and Chasin, 1980).

Use of edible wild species in combination with

domesticated foods has remained a hallmark of many

African agro-pastoral societies (Grivetti, 1978, 1979;

Grivetti et al., 1987). Traditional medicine practiced

in rural Nigeria, reveals well-documented uses of

plant barks and bark extracts, fruits, leaves, nuts and

seeds, and tubers, but with few exceptions, dietary-

medical uses of edible wild plants as components of

West African traditional medicine have not been

widely documented (Ogugbuaja et al., 1997).

Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) is a

medicinal plant that is widely used in African

folkloric medicine. In Nigeria, it is commonly called

Kirni, Kizni (Hausa); Marehi (Fulani); Iralodan

(Yoruba), Ola (Igbo), Kensange abia (Boki). Its

habitat is the savannah especially in the moister

regions extending from Guinea to Zaire and Angola.

The tree is 6-15m high, up to1.5m in girth and bole

crooked branching low down. The bark is dark grey,

rough and often markedly scaly (Kolawole and

Olayemi, 2003). The stem bark decoction is used in

African traditional medicine to treat diarrhea,

dysentery and gynaecological disorders (including

sterility). A decoction of the leaves is used to treat

diabetes. It has even been evaluated for antimalarial

(Kolawole and Adesoye, 2010), antimicrobial

Jonathan and Funmilola

Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Composition of Bridelia Ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) Stem Back Sample

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(Kareem et al., 2010), analgesic (Akuodor, et al.,

2011) and antidiabetic (Bakoma et al., 2011)

activities. B. ferruginea bark is used for treatment of

bacterial infections on wounds (Irobi et al., 1994). A

decoction of the leaves is used as a purgative and also

in the treatment of diabetes (Cimanga et al., 1999).

Roots and leaves extracts are used to cure piles,

diarrhea and dysentery (McNeely, 1990) and also

confirmed for anti-inflammation activities (Olajide et

al., 1999). Galocatechin has been isolated from the

bark (De Bruyne et al., 1997).

In western Nigeria, B. ferruginea is used as a

mouthwash and remedy for candidal oral thrush;

whereas in Northern Nigeria, the bark is used for

treatment of infections caused by poisoned arrow

wounds (Irobi et al., 1994). A decoction of the bark

extract has also been proven to have antibacterial

effect (Kolawole et al., 2006). It is also used as

purgative and a vermifuge. A macerated extract of the

bark is used in Northern Nigeria to harden beaten

laterite and mud floors (Kolawole and Olayemi,

2003). The chemical constituents of Bridelia

ferruginea have not been thoroughly examined. The

present study is therefore aimed at exploiting the

proximate, minerals, anti-nutritional and amino acid

profile of the back of Bridelia ferruginea as this

would promote its dietary-medical uses.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

2.1. Collection and preparation of samples

The sample was collected from local farms around

Iworoko- Ekiti, Irepodun-Ifelodun local Government

area of Ekiti State. It was properly sorted, washed,

dried, milled into fine powdered form and kept in an

air-tight plastic bottle prior to analysis.

2.2. Proximate analysis

Moisture, total ash, fiber and ether extract of the

samples were determined by the methods of the

AOAC 2005. Nitrogen was determined by a micro-

Kjeldahl method and the crude protein content was

calculated as N x 6.25 (Pearson, 1976). Carbohydrate

was determined by difference. All the proximate

results were reported in g/100 g dry weight. The

energy values obtained for carbohydrates (x 17 kJ),

crude protein (x 17 kJ) and crude fat (x 37 kJ) for each

of the samples. Determinations were in duplicate.

Table1: Proximate and some calculated parameters in the sample of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark

PEP = Proportion of total energy due to protein

PEF = Proportion of total energy due to fat PEC = Proportion of total energy due to protein

UEDP = Utilizable energy due to protein

2.3. Mineral analysis

The mineral elements were determined in the

solutions obtained above-Na and K by flame

photometry, Model 405 (Corning, Halstead Essex,

UK) using NaCl and KCl to prepare standards.

Minerals were analysed using the solutions obtained

by dry ashing the samples at 550 oC and dissolving it

in 10 % HCl (25 ml) and 5 % lanthanum chloride (2

ml), boiling, filtering and making up to standard

volume with deionized water. Phosphorus was

determined colorimetrically using a Spectronic 20

(Gallenkamp, London, UK) instrument, with KH2PO4

as a standard. All other elements (Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn,

Cu and Cr) were determined by atomic absorption

spectrophotometry, Model 403 (Perkin-Elmer,


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Norwalk, Connecticut, USA). All determinations were

made in duplicate. All chemicals used were of

analytical grade, and were obtained from British Drug

House (BDH, London, UK).

The detection limits for the metals in aqueous

solution had been determined just before the mineral

analyses using the methods of Varian Techtron, giving

the following values in µg/ml: Fe (0.01), Cu (0.002),

Na (0.002), K(0.005), Ca(0.04), Mg(0.002), Zn

(0.005), Mn (0.01) and Cr (0.02) (Varian Techtron,

1975). The optimal analytical range was 0.1 to 0.5

absorbance units with coefficients of variation from

0.9-2.2 %.

The coefficients of variation per cent were

calculated (Steel and Torrie, 1960). The percentage

contribution to energy due to protein (PEP), due to

total fat (PEF) and due to carbohydrate (PEC) as PEP

%, PEF % and PEC % respectively were calculated.

The percentage utilizable energy due to protein

(UEDP %) was also calculated. Ca/P, Na/K, Ca/Mg

and the millequivalent ratio of [K/(Ca +Mg)]; the

mineral safety index (MSI) of Na, Mg, P, Ca, Fe and

Zn were also calculated (Hathcock, 1985). To

calculate MSI, we have: RAI is recommended adult

intake; CV in the Table will represent calculated value

(CV) of calculated MSI from research results. The

differences between the standard MSI and the MSI of

the samples were also calculated.

2.4. Determination of Anti-nutritional factors

2.4.1. Determination of tannin

200mg of the sample was weighed into a 50ml sample

bottle. 10ml of 70% aqueous acetone was added and

properly covered. The bottles were put in an orbital

shaker and shaken for 2 hours at 300C. Each solution

was then centrifuged and the supernatant stored in ice.

0.2ml of each solution was pipetted into test tubes and

0.8ml of distilled water was added. Standard tannic

acid solutions were prepared from a 0.5mg/ml stock

and the solution made up to 1ml with distilled water.

0.5ml folin reagent was added to both sample and

standard followed by 2.5ml of 20% Na2CO3. The

solutions were then vortexed and allowed to incubate

for 40 minutes at room temperature after which

absorbance was red against a reagent blank

concentration of the sample from a standard tannic

acid curve (Makkar and Goodchild, 1996).

Table 2: Composition and some calculated mineral ratios in the Bridelia ferruginea bark sample

*milliequivalent ratio

2.4.2. Determination of oxalate

1g of the sample was weighed into 100ml conical

flask. 75ml of 1.5N H2SO4 was added and the solution

was carefully stirred intermittently with a magnetic

stirrer for about 1 hour and then filtered using

Whatman filter paper. 25ml of sample filtrate was

collected and titrated hot (80-900C) against 0.1N

KMnO4 solution to the point when a faint pink colour

appeared that persisted for at least 30 seconds (Day

and Underwood, 1986).

2.4.3. Determination of alkaloid

Alkaloid determination was carried out following the

procedure of Harborne(Harborne, 1973). 5.0g of the



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sample was weighed into a 250ml beaker and 200ml

of 10% acetic acid in ethanol was added and covered

and allowed to stand for 4h. This was filtered and the

extract was concentrated on a water bath to one

quarter the original volume. Concentrated ammonium

hydroxide was added drop wise to the extract until the

precipitation was complete. The whole solution was

allowed to settle and the precipitate was collected and

washed with dilute ammonium hydroxide and then

filtered. The residue is the alkaloid which was dried

and weighed.

2.4.4. Determination of saponin

The method used was that of Obadoni and Ochuko,

2001). 5g of the sample was put into a conical flask

and 100cm3 of 20% aqueous ethanol were added. The

sample was heated over a hot water bath for 4h with

continuous stirring at about 550C. The mixture was

filtered and the residue re-extracted with another

200ml 20% ethanol. The combined extracts were

reduced to 40ml over water bath at about 900C. The

concentrate was transferred into a 250ml separating

funnel and 20ml of diethyl ether was added and

shaken vigorously. The aqueous layer was recovered

while the ether layer was discarded. The purification

process was repeated. 60ml n-butanol was added. The

combined nbutanol extracts were washed twice with

10ml of 5% aqueous sodium chloride. The remaining

solution was heated in a water bath after evaporation;

the sample was dried in the oven to a constant weight.

The saponin content was calculated as percentage.

2.4.5. Determination of flavonoid

The method of Boham and Kocipai-Abyazan (Boham

and Kocipai-Abyazan, 1974) was followed in the

determination of flavonoid. 5g of the sample was

extracted repeatedly with 100ml of 80% aqueous

methanol at room temperature. The whole solution

was filtered through whatman filter paper (125ml).

The filtrate was later transferred into a crucible and

evaporated into dryness and weighed to a constant

weight.

2.4.6. Oxalate determination

The titration method as described by Day and

Underwood (1986) was followed. 1g of sample was

weighed into 100 ml conical flask. 75 ml 3M H2SO4

was added and stirred for 1 h with a magnetic stirrer.

This was filtered using a Whatman No 1 filter paper.

25 ml of the filtrate was then taken and titrated while

hot against 0.05 M KMnO4 solution until a faint pink

colour persisted for at least 30 s. The oxalate content

was then calculated by taking 1ml of 0.05 M KMnO4

as equivalent to 2.2 mg oxalate (Chinma and Igyor,

2007; Ihekoronye and Ngoddy, 1985).

2.4.7. Phytate content determination

This was determined by the method of Wheeler and

Ferrel (1971).100 ml of the sample was extracted with

3% trichloroacetic acid. The extract was treated with

FeCl3 solution and the iron content of the precipitate

was determined using Atomic Absorption

spectrophotometer (Pye Unicam 2900). A 4:6 Fe/P

atomic ratio was used to calculate the phytic acid

content (Okon and Akpanyung, 2005). Phytin

phosphorus (Pp) was determined and the phytic acid

content was calculated by multiplying the value of Pp

by 3.55 (Young and Greaves, 1940). Each milligram

of iron is equivalent to 1.19 mg of Pp.

Phytin phosphorus as percentage of phosphorus (Pp %

P) = Pp/P × 10

2.5. AMINO ACID ANALYSIS

The amino acid profile was determined using the

method described by Sparkman et al. (1958). Each

sample was dried to constant weight, defatted,

hydrolyzed, evaporated and loaded into the techno

sequential multi-sample amino acid analyzer (TSM).

Following the steps described below: 2 g of the dried

sample was weighed into extraction thimble and the

fat extracted with chloroform: methanol (2:1) mixture

using soxhlet extraction apparatus (AOAC, 2005).

Then, 1 g of the defatted sample was weighed into

glass ampoule. 7 ml of 6 N HCl were added and

oxygen expelled by passing nitrogen into the ampoule.

The glass ampoule was sealed and placed in an oven

preset at 1050C for 22 h. The ampoule was allowed to

cool before breaking open at the tip and the content

filtered. The filterate was then evaporated to dryness

and the residue dissolved with 5 ml acetate buffer (pH

2.0) and stored in plastic specimem bottles. 10 μl was

dispensed into the cartridge of the analyser which is

designed to seperate andanalyse free, acidic, neutral

and basic amino acids of the hydrolysate. The amount

of each amino acid present in the sample was

calculated in g/100 g protein from the chromatogram

produced.


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Table 3: Mineral safety index of Na, Mg, P, Ca, Fe, and Zn for the Bridelia ferruginea stem bark sample

TV = table value, CV = calculated value

D = difference (TV - CV)

Table 4: Anti-nutritional content of the Bridelia ferruginea stem bark samples

2.5.1. Determination of quality parameters

2.5.1.1. Determination of amino acid scores

Determination of the amino acid scores was fir

st, based on whole hen’s egg (Paul et al., 1976). In

this method, both essential and nonessential amino

acids were scored. Secondly, amino acid score was

calculated using the following formula (FAO/WHO,

1973):

Amino acid score = (amount of amino acid per test

protein (mg/g)) / (amount of amino acid per protein in

reference pattern (mg/g)).

In this method, Met + Cys and Phe + Tyr were

each taken as a unit. Also, only essential amino acids

determined were scored. Amino acid score was also

calculated based on the composition of the amino

acids obtained in the samples compared with the

suggested pattern of requirements for pre-school

children (2-5 years). Here, Met + Cys and Phe + Tyr

were each taken as a unit. Also, only essential amino

acids with (His) were scored.

2.5.1.2. Determination of the essential amino acid

index

The essential amino acid index (EAAI) was calculated

by using the ratio of test protein to the reference

protein for each of the eight essential amino acid plus

histidine in the equation that follows (Steinke et al.,

1980):

Methionine and cystine are counted as a single amino

acid value in the equation, as well as Phe + Tyr.

2.5.1.3. Determination of the predicted protein

efficiency ratio

The predicted protein efficiency ratio (P-PER) was

determined using one of the equations derived by

Alsmeyer et al. (1974), i.e.

P-PER = –0.468 + 0.454 (Leu) – 0.105 (Tyr).

2.5.1.4. Other determinations

Determination of the total essential amino acid

(TEAA) to the total amino acid (TAA), i.e.

(TEAA/TAA); total sulphur amino acid (TSAA);

percentage cystine in TSAA (% Cys/TSAA); total

aromatic amino acid (TArAA), etc; the Leu/Ile ratios

were calculated while the isoelectric point (pI) was

calculated using the equation of the form

(Olaofe and Akintayo, 2000):



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pIm IPiXi

Where pIm is the isoelectric point of the mixture of

amino acids, IPi is the isoelectric point of the ith amino

acid in the mixture and Xi is the mass or mole fraction

of the ith amino acid in the mixture (Finar, 1975).

Table 5: Amino acids profile of the Bridelia ferruginea

bark samples (g/100g cp)

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of proximate composition of the Bridelia

ferruginea back sample are shown in Table 1. The

crude protein content (15.7 ± 0.30 %) was comparably

higher than the values reported for some vegetables

consumed in Nigeria: 5.91 % (Cnidoscolus

chayamansa), 3.31 % (Solanium nodiflorum), 3.03 %

(Senecio biafrae) (Adeleke and Abiodun, 2010);

4.60% (A. hydridus), 4.30 % (T. occidentallis)

(Fafunso and Basir, 1977) but favourably compared

with the values reported for C. maxima (18.6 %), A.

viridis (19.2 %) and B. alba (18.0%) (Adesina, 2013)

and S. indicum (18.59%), B.aegypiaca (15.86 %)

(Kubmarawa et al., 2008).

The ash content (6.54 %) of Bridelia ferruginea

back sample is an indication of the levels of minerals

or inorganic component of the sample. These minerals

act as inorganic co-factors in metabolic processes

which mean in the absence of these inorganic co-

factors there could be impaired metabolism

(Iheanacho and Udebuani, 2009). Table 1 still

contains other parameters calculated from the

proximate values. It shows the various energy values

as contributed by protein, fat and carbohydrate. The

daily energy requirement for an adult is between

2500-3000 kCal (10455-12548 kJ) depending on his

physiological state while that of infants is 740 kCal

(3094.68 kJ) (Bingham, 1978). This implies that while

an adult man would require between 590-709 g

(taking the calculated energy of 1501 kJ/100 g) of his

energy requirement, infants would require 174.9 g

(taking the calculated energy of 1501 kJ/100 g). On

the whole this meant that samples with higher energy

value would require lower quantity of sample to

satisfy the energy needs of man and infants. The

utilizable energy due to protein (UEDP %) for the

sample (assuming 60 % utilization) 10.7 %. The

UEDP % compared favourably with the recommended

safe level of 8 % for an adult man who requires about

55 g protein per day with 60 % utilization. The PEF %

values were generally low in the sample (13.4 %) and

far below the recommended level of 30 % (NACNE,

1983) and 35 % (COMA, 1984) for total fat intake;

this is useful for people wishing to adopt the

guidelines for a healthy diet.

Table 6: Concentrations of essential, non-essential, acidic,

neutral, sulphur, aromatic, basic, etc. (g/100g crude protein)

of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark samples (dry matter of

sample)


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Table 2 gives the list of the nutritionally important

minerals as well as the computed mineral ratios in

Bridelia ferruginea back sample. Minerals are

important in human nutrition. It is well known that

enzymatic activities as well as electrolytic balance of

the blood fluid are related to the adequacy of Na, K,

Mg and Zn. Potassium is very important in

maintaining the blood fluid volume and osmotic

equilibrium. Metal deficiency syndrome like rickets

and calcification of bone is caused deficiency.

Appreciable levels of all the essential minerals were

present in the the sample. The sample was apparently

high in phosphorus (74.2 ± 0.105 mg/100g), a value

which was comparably higher than what was reported

for F. asperifolia and F. sycomorus (Nkafamiya et al.,

2010). The levels of K, Na, Ca and Mg were

comparably higher than Mn and Cu levels. The Ca/P

(0.326) was comparably lower than 0.5 which is the

minimum ratio required for favourable calcium

absorption in the intestine for bone formation

(Nieman et al., 1992) although the level of Ca/P has

been reported to have some effects on calcium in the

blood of many animals (Adeyeye et al., 2012). The

value of ratio (0.556) was lower than 0.6, the value

that favours non-enhancement of high blood pressure

disease in man. Although for normal retention of

protein during growth and for balancing fluid a K/Na

ratio of 1.0 is recommended (Helsper et al., 1993), the

high value of K/Na ratio (1.80) obtained in the present

report suggests that bringing the ratio down would

require the consumption of food sources rich in Na.

the Ca/Mg value obtained for the present sample

(1.14) was fairly higher than the 1.0 recommended. It

means both that both Ca and Mg would need

adjustment for normal for normal health.

The milliequivalent ratio of [K/(Ca+Mg)] (1.31)

was comparably lower than 2.2 recommended, which

means the sample would not promote

hypomagesaemia in man (NRC, 1989; Adeyeye and

Adesina, 2012). Iron and Zinc are among the required

elements for humans and their daily requirements for

adults are 10 and 15 respectively. Levels obtained in

the present report (4.55 ± 0.02 mg/100g) (Fe) and 25.7

mg/100g (Zn)) compared favourably with the values

reported for F. asperifolia and F. sycomorus

(Nkafamiya et al., 2010). However zinc requirements

can easily be met by consuming this sample (25.7

mg/100g). Generally from the recommendation set out

by NRC/NAS, the daily requirement of Zn, Mn and

Cu can easily be met while the diets may need be

supplemented with foods high in K, Na, Ca and P.

The mineral safety index (MSI) values of the

sample are shown in Table 3. The standard MSI for

the elements are Na (4.8), Mg (15), P (10), Ca (10), Fe

(6.7) and Zn (33). For Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu and Na, the

MSI values ranged from 0.16 – 2.75, with all the

differences between the standard and calculated MSI

values being positive.

Let us take Na for an example, the calculate MSI

value is 0.16 and the difference is +4.64, this meant

that no amount of the sample might be overloading

the body with sodium that can lead to secondary

hypertension. For Ca, Mg and P all the calculated MSI

were lower than standard MSI and hence within the

USRDA (Hathcock, 1985). For Zn, the odd sample

out, was 56.5 and the difference was -23.5. The

implication of the above is that abnormally high level

Zn was present in the sample. The sample could cause

the reduction of Zn absorption in the small intestine in

children. The Zn MSI greater than 33 are above the

recommended adult intake. The minimum toxic dose

is 500 mg, or 33 times the RDA (Hathcock, 1985).

High doses of Zn can be harmful. Zinc supplements

can decrease the amount of high density lipoprotein

(HDL) circulating in the blood, increasing risk of

heart disease. Excess Zn interacts with other minerals,

such as Cu and Fe, decreasing their absorption. In

animals, Zn supplements decrease the absorption of

Fe so much that anaemia is produced (Adeyeye et al.,

2012).When patients are given 150 mg of Zn per day,

Cu deficiency results. Intakes of Zn only 3.5 mg/day

above the RDA decrease Cu absorption (Nieman et

al., 1992). In animals, Cu deficiency causes scarring

of the heart muscle tissue and low levels of Ca in the

bone (Adeyeye et al., 2012).

The antinutrient content of the sample are listed in

Table 4. These are compounds that limit the wide use

of many plants due to their ubiquitous occurrence of

them as natural compounds capable of eliciting

deleterious effect in man and animals (Kubmarawa et

al., 2008).

The antinutrient factors; oxalate, tannin, saponin,

phytate, alkaloids, phenolic content, phytin

phosphorus and flavonoids were present in varying

amounts in the sample.

These anti nutritional factors tend to bind to

mineral elements there by forming indigestible

complex (Nkafamiya and Manji, 2006). Oxalate for

instance tends to render calcium unavailable by

binding to the calcium ion to form complexes

(calcium oxalate crystals). These oxalate crystal

formed prevent the absorption and utilization of

calcium. The calcium crystals may also precipitate

around the renal tubules thereby causing renal stones

(Ladeji et al., 2004; Nkafamiya and Manji, 2006). In

general the levels of antinutrients in Bridelia

ferruginea bark sample are low to significantly

interfere with nutrients utilization. They are below the

established toxic level (Nkafamiya and Manji, 2006).

The amino acid profile of the Bridelia ferruginea

back sample is shown in Table 5. The levels of the



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amino acid ranged between 0.597 ± 0.001 – 13.1±

0.450 g/100g.

All the essential amino acids were present in the

sample, with Isoleucine having the highest

concentration (6.20 ± 0.014 g/100g).

Table 6 shows the concentrations of total AA

(TAA), total essential AA (TEAA), total acidic AA

(TAAA), total neutral AA (TNAA), total sulphur AA

(TSAA), total aromatic AA (TArAA) and their

percentage values. The Leu/Ile ratios, their differences

and percentage differences are contained in Table 6.

Non- essential amino acids have the highest %

concentration (52.2) while TEAA total essential

amino acids had a % concentration of 47.8. The

content of TEAA of 43.1 g/100g crude protein was

close to the value for egg reference protein (56.6

g/100g cp) (Paul et al., 1976); comparably close to the

values reported for soya bean (44.4 g/100g cp)

(Altschul, 1958).

The TAA in the current report was 90.1 g/100g cp,

this value was comparably close to the values of

reported for the dehulled African yam bean (AYB)

(70.3 – 91.8 g/100g cp) (Adeyeye, 1997) but

comparably higher than the values reported for raw

and processed groundnut seeds (Adeyeye, 2010). The

content of TSAA (1.42 g/100g) was lower than the 5.8

g/100g cp recommended for infants

(FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985) The ArAA range suggested

for ideal infants protein (6.8 – 11.8 g/100g cp )

(FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985), the present report has its

value better than the minimum, i.e 8.96 g/100g cp.

The ArAA are the precursors of epinephrine and

thyroxin (Robinson, 1987). The % ratios of TEAA/

TAA in the sample was 47.8 % which was well above

39 % considered to be adequate for ideal protein food

for infants ; 26 % for children and 11 % for adults

(FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985). The TEAA/ TAA was

strongly comparable to that of egg (50 %)

(FAO/WHO, 1990), and 43.6 % reported for pigeon

pea flour (Oshodi et al., 1993).

Most animal protein are low in Cys and hence in

Cys in TSAA (Adeyeye and Adamu, 2005). In

contrast many vegetable proteins contain substantially

more Cys than Met. The reverse is the case in the

present in which the % Cys in TSAA was 42.0 %.

Information on the agronomic advantages of

increasing the concentration of sulphur-containing

amino acid in staple foods shows that Cys had

positive effects on mineral absorption, particularly

zinc (Mendoza, 2002).

The P-PER value (1.69) was higher than 1.21

(cowpea), close to (Salunkhe and Kadam, 1989); 1.62

(millet ogi) and 0.27 (sorghum ogi) (Oyarekua and

Eleyinmi, 2004). A common feature of sorghum and

maize is that the proteins of these grains contain a

relatively high proportion of leucine. It was therefore

suggested that an amino acid imbalance from excess

leucine might be a factor in the development of

pellagra (FAO, 1995). Clinical, biochemical and

pathological observations in experiments conducted in

humans and laboratory animals showed that high

leucine in the diet impairs the metabolism of

tryptophan and niacin and is responsible for niacin

deficiency in sorghum eaters (Ghafoorunissa and

Narasinga Rao, 1973). High leucine is also a factor

contributing to the pellagragenic properties of maize

(Belavady and Gopalan, 1969). These studies

suggested that the leucine/isoleucine balance is more

important than dietary excess of leucine alone in

regulating the metabolism of tryptophan and niacin

and hence the disease process. The present Leu/Ile

ratios were low in value. The pI value was 5.14. The

pI of any organic matter is important when the protein

isolate is to be prepared. The EAAI can be useful as a

rapid tool to evaluate food formulations for protein

quality. The EAAI for soy flour is 1.26 (Nielsen,

2002) which is better than the current result of 1.18.

Table 7 showed that Met had the lowest score with

a value of 0.26. to correct for the AA needs from the

sample, it becomes 100/26 or 3.85 times as much raw

sample protein to be taken (eaten) when they are the

sole source of protein in the diet (Bingham,1977). In

Table 8 two different scoring patterns were presented:

Scorea

= Essential amino acid scores based on

FAO/WHO (1973) scoring pattern, Scoreb

= Essential

amino acid scores based on requirements of pre-

school child (2-5 years)(FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985).

In both patterns Met + Cys had the lowest score

(limiting amino acid), with values 0.41 and 0.57. and

would need a correction of 100/41 or 2.44 according

to the essential amino acid scoring pattern 100/57 or

1.75 times as much raw sample protein to be taken

(eaten) when they are the sole protein in the diet

(Bingham, 1977).


100

Table 7: Amino acid score of the Bridelia ferruginea stem

bark samples based on whole hen's egg amino acid

4. CONCLUSION

This study has revealed that the Bridelia ferruginea

back consumed in Ekiti State and other states in the

South-western part of Nigeria can contribute useful

amount of nutrients including amino acids to human

diet. Interestingly, the anti-nutritional content of the

sample was low, much lower than is obtainable in

most Nigerian vegetables. This implies that, its overall

nutritional value will not be affected. Indeed, this part

of the plant consumed largely by the rural populace in

Ekiti State is not inferior to the conventional popular

Nigerian vegetables. There is need, however, to

determine the vitamins and fatty acids present in the

sample. Understandably, nutrient loss is of great

concern during blanching and cooking of vegetables,

therefore there is need to study the effects of cooking

and processing procedures on nutrient availability of

the Bridelia ferruginea back sample. This will help to

adequately establish their importance in human

nutrition and provide basis for maximum utilization of

the plant’s part.

Table 8: Essential amino acid scores of the Bridelia ferruginea stem bark samples

Scorea = Essential amino acid scores based on FAO/WHO (1973) scoring pattern, Scoreb = Essential amino acid scores based on requirements of pre-school

child (2-5 years)(FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985)

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104

Adesina, Adeolu, J. is a Ph.D candidate in Food/ Analytical Chemistry of the Department of

Chemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. He received his first degree from

University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria 2001 awarded with Bachelor of Science in Pure

Chemistry. He obtained degree in Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from University of

Ibadan, Nigeria in 2006. His current research focuses on Food chemistry and quality. To date, he

has published several scientific journal articles related to Food chemistry and quality evaluation

field.

Akomolafe Seun Funmilola is a Ph.D candidate in Food biochemistry and toxicology of the

Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. She received her

first degree from Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti Nigeria. 2005 awarded with Bachelor of Science

in Biochemistry. She obtained degree in Master of Science in Biochemistry from University of

Ibadan, Nigeria in 2009. Her current research focuses on Food Biochemistry and quality. To date,

she has published several scientific articles related to food Biochemistry and toxicology field.

nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of bridelia ferruginea benth (euphorbiaceae) stem bark...

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