Abstract:
The matrices of young shoots of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach) were subjected to proximate and phytochemical analyses. The proximate profile included moisture (89.00%), total ash (2.00% WW and 18.18% DW), crude protein (2.97% WW and 27.00% DW), crude fat (1.63% WW and 14.82% DW), total carbohydrate (3.40% WW and 30.91% DW) and total metabolizable energy value (34.48 kcal 100 g-1 WW and 313.45 kcal 100 g-1 DW). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, oxalates, phytates, saponins and tannins. The anti-nutrients composition included tannins (28.640%), cyanogenic glycosides (2.830%), oxalates (0.159%), phytates (0.006%) and saponins (0.850%). This result suggests relative safety for consumption and the possibility of improving the nutritional quality of Pennisetum purpureum through dehydration.
C.C. Okaraonye and J.C. Ikewuchi, 2009. Nutritional and Antinutritional Components of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach). Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8: 32-34.
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