Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9600
ISSN: 2155-9600
Onimawo I A, Esekheigbe A and Okoh J E
Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
Proximate and mineral compositions of three selected traditional spices (Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Monodora myristica) were evaluated in this study. Disease-free samples of garlic, ginger and African nutmeg were bought from a local market at Ekpoma in Southern Nigeria. The samples were peeled and were grinded to a desirable texture. Wet samples were analyzed for the proximate composition and mineral contents. From the results, moisture, ash, crude protein, fat, fiber and carbohydrate content of ginger were 72.20, 0.81, 8.91, 11.71, 1.38, and 2.01%, respectively; that of garlic were 59.90, 0.94, 12.41, 6.13, 1.95, 18.53%, respectively, while African nutmeg had 8.14, 1.39, 13.57, 46.48, 27.39, and 3.06%, respectively. It was also found that sodium, zinc, iron, and calcium were 7.32, 4.99, 9.68, and 182.67mg/100g, respectively in ginger, 9.41, 1.89, 8.47, 1016 mg/100 g in garlic. In African nutmeg, it was found to be 110.20, 135.91, 147.28, and 166.10mg/100g, respectively. Consequently, ginger, garlic and African nutmeg possessed varying proportions of the proximate components as well as mineral elements. However, African nutmeg possessed better moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber contents with high sodium, zinc and iron mineral contents compared to other spices examined while garlic had a better carbohydrate and calcium levels.
Professor Ignatius Onimawo has done PhD in Human Nutrition from University of Ibadan. At present he is the current Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria. Formerly Dean of College of Food Processing and Storage Technology and Foundation Head of Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Journal of Nutritional Sciences and formerly the Director of Academic Planning and Head of Biochemistry, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria.
Email: onimawoig@yahoo.co.uk