Evaluating the Nutritional Potential of Acacia Sieberiana Seeds (Dc) Growing In North West of Nigeria

Abstract

Concerted efforts in search of alternative sources of protein has grown due to dearth of animal protein in developing countries, as  food shortage and poverty become more endemic, people increasingly depend on plants rather than animals for proteins in their diets. This work focuses on untapped indigenous wild savannah tree, Acacia sieberiana (seeds) for its nutritional and economical values. The seeds were collected and processed for proximate compositions, phytochemicals and elemental analysis. The high percentage of crude protein content of 49.7% and absence of toxic elements such as Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (Ar), and very low percentage of Lead (Pb) 0.001ml/g has proven that the Acacia sieberiana seeds are very safe and could serve as an alternative source of protein. The result of the quantitative minerals determination shows the presence of Manganese (3.93mg/g), Calcium (2.02mg/g), and Iron (0.11mg/g). The germination trials of the seeds were also carried out, and the result shows that, soaking, heating the seeds at 60⁰C and even the non treated seeds as well as those planted and mulched gave promising results of the plant’s seeds germination. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) software was used to analysed the significant differences between the treatments at critical value (p≥0.05).