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Full Length Research Paper
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Chemical
composition of groundnut, Arachis hypogaea (L)
landraces
Asibuo,
James Yaw1*, Akromah, Richard2,
Safo-Kantanka, Osei2, Adu-Dapaah, Hans Kofi1,
Ohemeng-Dapaah, Seth1 and Agyeman, Adelaide1
1CSIR-Crops
Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana, W/Africa.
2Department
of Crop and Soil Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
jyasibuo@gmail.com.
Accepted 6 June, 2008 |
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Abstract |
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Groundnut production and utilization in Ghana has tripled in
the last decade due to its high nutritive value and the
number of uses it can be put into. The chemical quality of
seeds of Ghanaian groundnut are different from those of
other countries, however, no previous studies has been done.
This study was initiated to examine the nutritional quality
of 20 groundnut varieties grown in Ghana. Dry samples were
examined for oil content, crude protein, total carbohydrate,
calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, iron
and manganese. Results from these analyses showed
significant variation between the parameters measured.
Virginia cultivars which belong to subspecies hypogaea
had higher oil content (49.7%) than the Spanish and Valencia
market types, which belong to subspecies fastigiata
(47.3%). The mean protein content of subspecies
fastigiata was however higher (25.69%) than subspecies
hypogaea (22.78%). The mineral elements examined were
substantial in reducing malnutrition especially in young and
growing children. Broni fufuo, a Spanish market type had the
highest crude protein content (30.53%) and the least oil
content (33.60%) and is idea for products which require more
protein and less oil. Substantial genetic variability exists
for chemical composition and nutritional traits which could
be utilised for various food preparations and selection for
breeding purpose.
Key words:
Arachis hypogaea,
groundnut, protein, oil, minerals. |
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