Nutrients Composition of Seeds and Leaves of Twenty Bambara Groundnut Accessions [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt] Cultivated in Cameroon

Abstract

Food legumes in general and Bambara groundnut in particular can be food species used to solve the problem of undernourishment. The objective of this study is to determine some physicochemical characteristics of the leaves and seeds of twenty Bambara groundnut accessions grown in the Far North of Cameroon. The experimental design set up is a completely randomized block comprising twenty Bambara groundnut accessions replicated four times. The test was conducted in a greenhouse during the dry season. The results revealed highly significant differences (p<0.01) in the physicochemical characters of the leaves and seeds of the twenty Bambara groundnut accessions, suggesting variability within the species. The total carbohydrate content ranged from 1.47% (VZ118) to 4.47% (VZ110) in leaves and from 13.67% (VZ117) to 21.14% (VZ113) in seeds. The total protein content ranged from 24.57% (VZ116) to 32.38% (VZ102) in leaves and 23.72% (VZ104) to 26.70% (VZ118) in seeds. Crude fiber content ranged from 9.56% (VZ118) to 20.83% (VZ109) in leaves and from 20.68% (VZ116) to 40.93% (VZ118) in seeds. Moreover, the accessions are grouped in four classes showing that each class have accessions with similar traits. These results could be used in varietal improvement programs and the valorization of existing Bambara groundnut accessions.