Assessment of Nutritive and Anti–Nutritive Values and Mineral Content of Vigna subterranean L Thouars (Bambara Nut) Seeds

Vigna subterranean L. thouars (Bambara nut) seeds were analyzed for their nutritive and anti – nutritive values. The result showed that Vigna subterranean L. thouars seeds have moisture content 7.54%, ash content 3.46%, crude fat content 4.79%, crude protein content 22.40%, crude fibre content 1.65%, carbohydrate content 60.16% and available energy 1580.75 KJ. The mineral content of analyzed samples showed that Vigna subterranean L. thouars seeds have 57.39% and 55.67% of potassium and calcium, respectively. The high Ca/P ratio indicates that Vigna subterranean L. thouars is a very good food source. This study showed that oxalate, nitrate and cyanide values were below WHO standard. The low content of anti –nutrients of Vigna subterranean L. thouars showed that Bambara nut will not constitute health hazard when taken as food.