Published in AgroLife Scientific Journal, Volume 8, Number 2
Written by Olorunfunmi Isimioluwa SOLANA, Ibikunle Funso OLALERU
The antinutritional contents of protein concentrate and isolate produced from sandbox (Hura crepitans) as influenced by different processing methods were studied with a view to increasing the utilization of the seed as food and/or feed ingredient, coupled with continuous increases in prices of staple animal protein which encouraged sourcing for substitute protein nourishment from the plant origin. Though, the aftermath lethal effect of consuming some of these plants has led them to being neglected and under-utilized, however for economic advantages, processing these ranges of protein-rich plants into flours and protein products is a good step in the right direction. The effects of different processing methods on the antinutritional content were investigated in this study. Whole sandbox seeds were collected, decorticated and divided into three portions. Samples of defatted flours, protein concentrate and protein isolate were prepared from sandbox seed using standard processing procedures of cooking, soaking, fermenting, defatting, solubilization and lypholization to significantly (p<0.05) reduced certain anti-nutrient contents (tannin, saponin and oxalate). The results shows sandbox seed protein concentrate (1.02 mg/100 g, 0.11 mg/100 g and 1.47 mg/100 g) and protein isolate (0.07 mg/100 g, 0.04 mg/100 g and 1.04 mg/100 g) and had the least and nutritionally stable values for the antinutrient contents amongst other samples for tannin, saponin and oxalate, respectively. Based on the findings of this study, sandbox seed protein products can be utilized as an alternative protein source in human food as well as in the fortification of starchy livestock feedstuff.
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