The Potentials of a Lesser Known Nigerian Legume, Senna Siamea Seeds as a Plant Protein Source

The present study assessed the nutritional potentials of the raw seeds of Senna siamea. The results reveal that raw Senna siamea seeds had high in dry matter (91.02% wet weight), crude protein (25.09 % dry matter) and crude fiber (13.65 % dry matter) contents but poor percentage ether extract, nitrogen free extract, ash and caloric value. Among the vitamins assessed (riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, vitamins C, E and A), only niacin was abundant (2.08 mg/100g). The seeds were also rich in calcium (800 mg/100g), phosphorus (7300 mg/100g), sodium (550 mg/100g), magnesium (460 mg/100g), iron (206.80 mg/100g), zinc (26.49 mg/100g) and copper (8.38 mg/100g). The concentrations of potassium, molybdenum, cobalt, chromium, selenium, sulphur and flourine in the seeds were low. Flourine was the most abundant micro mineral element (0.83 mg/100g). Seventeen amino acids were detected. Senna siamea seeds showed high valine (4.01 g/100g), leucine (8.35 g/100g), isoleucine (3.55 g/100g) and histidine (2.52 g/100g) contents. Glutamic acid was the most abundant (8.9 g/100g) amino acid. Leucine had the highest concentration among the essential amino acids, while cystine was the most limiting of this group (1.05 g/100g). All the antinutrients studied were low in concentration except phytate (200.24 mg/100g). We conclude that though rich in nutrients, there may be need for processing of the raw seeds to render the antinutrients harmless when Senna siamea seed meal is fed to livestock, especially monogastrics