RA 00183.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

Utilization
Studies on Nutritional and Functional
Characteristics of Groundnut-Sorghum
Composite Flour
Bharat Singh, Umaid Singh, T. Koleosho, and S. Ogutu 1
The major objective of the Peanut CRSP Food Technology project is to optimize the utilization
of groundnut as food in the semi-arid tropics of Africa. To achieve this goal, it is important
to evaluate the quality of groundnut and groundnut products. In this paper, data from studies
conducted at Alabama A & M University on nutritional and functional characteristics of groundnut
and groundnut-fortified sorghum flour are presented.
Research Results
Effect of Variety on Nutrient Composition of Groundnuts
The oil content of groundnuts is one of the important consideration for selection of a cultivar.
However, in recent years, it has been proven that among grain legumes, groundnut is an
excellent source of protein for human nutrition. Therefore, groundnut protein yield per hectare
should be considered as important as oil. The data from the analysis conducted on lines
grown at various locations in Texas indicated variations in contents of protein, oil, fatty acids,
and ratios of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids, and oleic and linoleic acids.
Nine varieties of groundnuts grown at one location were selected to study the effects of
variety on phytic acid, total phosphorus, nitrogen solubility and in vitro protein digestibility.
Phytic acid is widely distributed in nature and present in almost all the seeds used for human
nutrition. When consumed in excess, it can become an anti-nutrient. In humans, there is a
major concern about the bio-availability of minerals such as zinc, calcium, and iron which are
not readily absorbed when insolubilized as calcium phytate. Nitrogen solubility, and in vitro
1. Professor; Visiting Scientist (Biochemist, ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India);
Graduate Student; and Research Assistant, Alabama A&M University, Department of Food Science, P.O. Box
274, Normal, AL, 35762, USA.
Citation: ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). 1991. Summary Proceedings of
the Second ICRISAT Regional Groundnut Meeting for West Africa, 11-14 Sep 1990, ICRISAT Sahelian Center,
Niamey, Niger. Patancheru, A.P. 502 324, India: ICRISAT.
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