SPROUTING AFFECTS NUTRIENT AND ANTI-NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea)

Bambara groundnut is a leguminous crop that is nutritionally balanced, however, underutilised. This work evaluated the effect of sprouting on the proximate, minerals, vitamins and anti nutrient compositions of two Bambara groundnut landraces. Samplesdrawn for the proximate, vitamins, minerals and anti-nutrient compositions were carried out according standard analytical procedures. Sprouting lead to a significant increase (p<0.05) in the nutrient content and decreased significantly (p<0.05) the anti nutrient contents of both landraces. There was observed decrease in the calcium, sodium, and potassium in both landraces and an increase in zinc and iron contents of only sprouted Niger cream landrace. On the other hand, sprouting led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of the vitamins in the two landraces studied. However, a decreased in the contents of vitamins B1 and B6 after processing was observed in one of the landraces studied.