COMPARATIVE NUTRITIONAL AND ANTI–NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION IN CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS) AND SPONGE GOURD (LUFFA AEGYPTICA) SEED MEALS.

Abstract

The proximate, anti-nutrient and amino acid concentrations of Luffa aegyptica and Cucumis sativus decorticated seed meals were determined using methods described by Benitez (1989); Anhwange et al. (2004) and AOAC (2006). Results of the investigation revealed the moisture content 3.75-4.43%, protein (32.18-33.92%), crude fibre (6.01-7.42%), crude fat (29.38-34.37%), ash (4.55-4.89%) and NFE (15.3-23.79%) respectively. The antinutrient components for C. sativus are low for oxalate (0.05%), alkaloid (1.38%),phytate (0.05%) and tannin(15.38%) except for saponin (1.29%) compare with values of 0.08% oxalate, 2.98% alkaloid, 0.07% phytate, 24.64% tannins and 0.33% saponin) obtained for L.aegyptica seed meal. The amino acid compositions of C.sativus and L.aegyptica seed meals were comparable with arginine (6.54-7.37g/100g) and leucine (6.60- 6.89g/100g) the most concentrated essential amino acids while the glutamic acid (12.57-13.47g/100g) was the most concentrated non-essential amino acid. The study shows that C.sativus and L aegyptica seed contain sufficient amount of nutrients and minimal constituents of anti-nutrients. These seeds are potential sources of food and feed for human and livestock.