PROXIMATE, MINERAL, AND VITAMIN ANALYSIS OF Dioscorea bulbifera
Abstract
This study investigated the proximate, mineral, and vitamin composition of Dioscorea bulbifera, a tuber known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The Dioscorea bulbifera bulbils used in this study were purchased from Eke Market in Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State. The moisture, crude protein, ash, crude fat, and fiber contents were determined using stipulated methods. The results of the proximate analysis revealed a high moisture content (64%), which is greater than the carbohydrate level (29.03%), while carbohydrates are higher than crude protein, ash, crude fiber, and crude fat (1.1%, 1.5%, 0.69%, and 0.64% respectively). The mineral analysis showed elevated concentrations of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), and sodium (Na) with values of 79.63 mg/g, 37.92 mg/g, 6.81ppm, 5.2mg/g, and 0.53ppm respectively, reflecting the tuber's potential to contribute to essential mineral intake. Furthermore, the vitamin analysis indicated significant levels of vitamins A-B carotene (106.28mg/100g), B6 (116.12mg/100g), C/ascorbic acid (28.3mg/100g), riboflavin (13.18mg/100g), and B12 (2.81mg/100g). These findings underscore the importance of Dioscorea bulbifera as a rich source of nutrients with potential health benefits, such as improved energy levels, bone health, and antioxidant activity. This study highlights the nutritional significance of Dioscorea bulbifera and its potential application in addressing micronutrient deficiencies.
Keywords:
Dioscorea bulbifera, proximate analysis, mineral and vitamin analysisDownloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15490573Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Okoh, Emmanuel Chidera
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Adejumo, A. L., Obisesan, K. A., and Akinwale, A. (2019). Mineral composition of Dioscorea species cultivated in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(3): 44-55.
Adeola, A., and Kadiri, O. (2015). Nutritional importance and chemical composition of Dioscorea species. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 4(5): 215-220.
Adeola, M., and Kadiri, A. B. (2015). Nutritional and medicinal properties of Dioscorea bulbifera from tropical regions. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 52(1): 34-45.
Adeoye, A. O., Oyekanmi, M. O., and Adeniran, A. O. (2018). Vitamin content in selected yam species in Nigeria. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 22(1): 103-109.
Adepoju, O. T., and Oyewole, E. O. (2018). Nutritional composition of the yam species: A comparative analysis. Food Science and Nutrition, 6(5): 732-740.
Awodele, J. A., Adejumo, A. K., and Olatoye, S. A. (2021). Comparative analysis of the proximate composition of root and tuber crops in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Nutritional Sciences, 42(2): 61-72.
Egbuonu, A. C., Amadi, B. A., and Nwogu, N. A. (2016). Comparative analysis of the nutritional values of Dioscorea rotundata and D. bulbifera tubers. Journal of Nutritional Science and Research, 2(3): 123-128.
Egbuonu, A. C., Chimezie, I. P., and Uchegbu, E. C. (2016). Chemical composition and biological evaluation of Dioscorea bulbifera. International Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 8(2): 56-64.
Ezeocha, C. I., Onwukwe, N. O. and Onwuka, F. U. (2018). The anti-diabetic effects of the yam species: A comparative study. African Journal of Food Science and Technology, 9(4): 211-218.
Falade, K. O., Adebayo, S. E., and Odebunmi, O. E. (2019). Proximate and mineral analysis of the yam species: A study on Dioscorea bulbifera. Journal of Root Crops, 45(1): 89-98.
Falade, O., Akinsoyinu, A. O., and Adepoju, O. (2019). Nutrient composition and phytochemical profile of Dioscorea bulbifera tubers from Southwest Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Nutritional Sciences, 40(1): 67-72.
FAO. (2020). The role of underutilized crops in food security. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Ibrahim, T. A., Adeyemo, O. T., and Bello, O. O. (2021). Proximate and mineral content analysis of Dioscorea bulbifera in Southwest Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 16(2): 87-93.
Oduse, O. K., Ogunsina, B. S., and Aina, J. O. (2020). Nutritional analysis of underutilized yam species in Nigeria. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 44(3): e14435.
Okoro, O. S., Onyekwere, N. K., and Eze, J. I. (2021). Vitamins and bioactive compounds in wild yam species: A review. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 15(7): 341-349.
Onwuliri, V. A., and Nwankwo, O. I. (2017). Mineral and proximate analysis of different yam species. African Journal of Food Science and Technology, 8(6): 155-161.
Shajeela, P. S., Mohan, V. R., Louis, J., and Tresina Soris, P. (2017). Nutritional and antinutritional evaluation of raw seeds of Dioscorea bulbifera L. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 9(5): 281-286.
Udoh, E. A., Udofia, N. E., and Essien, O. C. (2016). Economic analysis of Dioscorea bulbifera cultivation by smallholder farmers in Southern Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, 4(2): 22-29.
Udoh, I. I., Asiegbu, J. A., and Umoh, E. U. (2016). Nutrient content and proximate composition of wild yams in Nigeria. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 37(2): 145-150.
Usman, M. A., Abdullahi, I. N., and Yusuf, B. M. (2017). Micronutrient deficiency and its public health implications in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health and Nutrition, 12(3): 345-354.
Uzozie, J. N., Okonkwo, I. M., and Ezenwa, A. C. (2020). Antioxidant activity and vitamin content of Dioscorea bulbifera from Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 9(4): 243-251.
Zaku, S. G., Emmanuel, A. S., and Ojochenemi, I. A. (2015). Evaluation of the nutritional and phytochemical properties of Dioscorea bulbifera tubers in Nigeria. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 9(16): 528-533.
