Advances in Research

Thaumatococcus daniellii is an under-exploited, wild rhizomatous perennial herb from Africa that is classified as one of the non-timber forest products. The aril contains an intensely sweet and non-toxic protein used as sweetener in food and other related industries. This study evaluated the nutrient, antinutrient, minerals and sugars contents of T. daniellii seeds. The proximate analysis of the seeds in percent on dry basis revealed 9.18±0.04 ash, 10.52±0.10 moisture, 2.48±0.02 crude fat, 29.45±0.13 crude fibre, 6.67±0.05 protein, 41.70±0.73 carbohydrate and the energy value was calculated to be 213.29±0.11 Kcal/100 g. Minerals analysis of the seeds in mg/kg revealed the presence of sodium 113.00±0.01, potassium 155.30±0.00, calcium 56.00± 0.02, magnesium 62.00±0.01, iron 1.05±0.00, zinc 1.24±0.00, phosphorous 112.00±0.01, manganese 0.11±0.00 and copper 0.12±0.00. Anti-nutrients analyses of the seeds are phytates 7.98±0.02%, tannins 0.49±0.01 mg/g, oxalates 7.84±0.15%, flavonoids 7.89±0.01 mg/g and total phenols 6.25±0.01 mg/g. Sugar analysis of the seeds gave the presence of the followings in mg/g; glucose 74.25±0.10, fructose 78.75±0.02, invert sugar 76.35±0.21, maltose 115.20±0.05 and sucrose 71.25±0.11 while total and reducing sugars in % gave 2.06±0.01 and 8.25±0.03 respectively. The research work revealed the potentials of the seeds for both domestic and industrial usage.