Abstract:
The physical and chemical properties of Moringa stenopetala (Haleko) seeds produced in Mella district of Gamo Gofa Zone in southern Ethiopia are reported here for the first time. The average weight of the whole intact seeds (g/100 seeds), the kernel (g/100 seeds) and an individual seed (g seed-1) was 73.6, 59.6 and 0.6 g, respectively. The kernel accounted for 79.7% of the seed’s dry weight and the hull accounted for 20.3%. The M. stenopetala seeds analyzed had an average length, width and bulk density of 17.6 mm, 8.2 mm and 0.9 g cm3, respectively. The mean moisture, oil, protein, ash and crude fiber contents of the M. stenopetala seeds analyzed were 6.1, 41.4, 42.6, 4.6 and 5.1 (g/100 g), respectively. The residue that remained after oil extraction of the seeds had an average crude protein content of 55.6 (g/100 g). The results showed that M. stenopetala seed contains high oil and protein contents suggesting that it could be used as important source of oil and protein.
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