Abstract

This study provided estimate of nutrient content of Ziziphus mauritiana, a lesser known tropical legume plant. Chemical analysis of the seeds collected from Bojude in Kwami local government area in Gombe State and Hanani in Bauchi local government area, Bauchi State in Nigeria, showed that, the crude protein, moisture, ash, crude fibre, lipids and carbohydrates were 36.10 ± 57, 4.21 ± 0.030, 2.79 ± 0.27, 11.04 ± 0.88, 27.40 ± 0.11 and 21.26 ± 0.63 mg per 100 g of the samples, respectively. The most important minerals were potassium, sodium and phosphorus with 589.08 ± 10.89, 154.79 ± 10.50 and 585.43 ± 412 mg/100 g of the samples, respectively. The seeds could be used as protein and mineral supplement for low protein legumes such as cereals. It was recommended that further protein and oil analysis of these seeds be made so as to ascertain anti-nutritive factors in the protein and fatty acids types available in the seeds.

Key words: Ziziphus mauritiana (Jujube), seeds, food nutrients.