Open AccessA Comparative Evaluation Of The Proximate Analysis, Mineral Contents And Phytochemical Screening Of Dioscorea Dumetorum (Bitter Yam)
Author(s) -
Adebayo S. Daramola,
Philip O. Amira
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of biology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2684-5199
DOI - 10.24018/ejbio.2020.1.3.34
Subject(s) - phytochemical , proximate , chemistry , glycoside , potassium , phosphorus , food science , white (mutation) , sodium , botany , composition (language) , traditional medicine , biology , biochemistry , medicine , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry , gene
This study sought to probe into the health significance of two (white and yellow) species of Dioscorea dumetorum (bitter yam) based on their chemical composition and phytochemicals. Matured tubers were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral contents and phytochemicals, using standard analytical procedures. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the means of some of the compositions in the two species. The results showed moisture contents of 71.45±0.15 and 75.55±1.20 g% wet weight for white and yellow species respectively. Others in g% dry weight included: crude protein (white, 5.20±0.27; yellow, 5.70±0.35), crude ash (white, 4.75±0.16; yellow, 4.05±0.09), crude fat (white, 0.70±0.20; yellow, 0.72±0.01), crude fibre (white, 15.90±0.75; yellow, 14.95±0.070) and carbohydrate (white, 81.86±0.17; yellow, 75.95±0.05). The most predominant minerals were potassium (white, 680±0.20; yellow, 767.85±1.35), phosphorus (white, 270.00±2.10, yellow, 277.25±3.45), sodium (white, 70.35±1.40; yellow, 76.45±0.05) and magnesium (white, 47.10±0.25; yellow, 67.40±0.05). The yellow species showed significantly higher concentrations over the white. The phytochemical screening revealed much presence of glycosides and alkaloids, but little presence of flavonoids, oxalates, phytates and tannins. The results justify the medicinal use of the tuber and could serve as a synergy to man and animal nutrition.