Proximate Analysis of Fermented and Unfermented African Locust Beans (Parkia Biglobosa), Found in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Proximate Analysis of Fermented and Unfermented African Locust Beans (Parkia Biglobosa), Found in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

 Ajegena, Yakubu Sunday, Atara, Joseph Galadima, Emgba, Kafu Samuel
Department of Science Laboratory Technology. P.M.B 109, Isa Mustapha Agwai 1 Polytechnic, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
The work is aimed at comparing nutritional content of unfermented (boiled) and fermented African Locust Beans (Daddawa). The African locust beans (Parkia Biglobosa) were purchased from Alhamis Market, Tudun Gwandara, Lafia, Nasarawa State and were transported to the Hospitality Department of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia for proximate analysis. The sample was divided into two equal parts (boiled and fermented African Locust beans). The following parameters were analysed: moisture content, ash content, crude fiber content, protein content, lipid (fat) content and carbohydrate content. Unfermented (boiled) African locust beans showed higher carbohydrate, crude fiber and ash content (36.4% – 21.9%, 4.50% – 3.50%, and 2.5% – 2.00%) respectively. While the fermented African locust beans (Daddawa) showed higher protein, fat and moisture content (36.50% – 30.00%, 10.50% – 8.50% and 26.1% – 18.1%) respectively. The significant differences noticed in all the samples (boiled and fermented African locust beans) could be due to the processing activities and subsequent fermentation process to produce Daddawa. Both samples are good sources of nutrient for human consumption. Local condiment should be encouraged because is natural.

Keywords: African Locust Beans, proximate analysis, fermented and unfermented.

Introduction
African Locust bean tree (Parkia Biglobosa) is widely recognized as an important indigenous multipurpose fruit tree in many countries of the Sub-Sahara African, it is a perennial tree which belongs to sub-family Mimosodee and family Leguminosae (now Fabaciae) (Akande et’al., 2010).
The locust bean tree grows in Savannah region of West African upto edge of Sahel Zone (Campbell-Platt, 1980). In Nigeria, it is mostly grown in Savannah lands of central Nigeria (Tee et’al., 2009). Nigeria and other West African countries, used the seed from the tree when boiled or processed can be used as condiment in many food dishes (Hopkins and Whiti, 1984, Dike and Odunpa, 2003).

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