There are large varieties of legumes and oil seeds in tropical Africa which are part of
traditional food systems but whose nutritional and economic values have not been
completely determined and are far less exploited for both human and livestock
utilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate
Lophira lanceolata
(false shea
or meni oil tree) seeds with the aim of qualifying and quantifying chemical and
biological information that might serve as a guide to exploit its potentials and benefits
for human and animal nutrition .The chemical composition, amino acid profile and
phytochemical screening of the lesser-known oil seed were carried out using
standard methods. The seeds were found to contain 2.78% moisture, 29.89% crude
protein, 8.43% crude fiber, 48.61% crude fat, 1.45% total ash. Total carbohydrate and
caloric values were 11.62% and 637.21 kcals, respectively. Mineral analysis revealed
the seeds to contain 311mg/100g of sodium, 518mg/100g of potassium, 30mg/100g of
calcium, 82mg/100g of magnesium, 20mg/100g of zinc, 40mg/100g of iron and
290mg/100g of phosphorus. Amino acid analysis using technicon sequential multisample
amino acid analyzer detected all the essential amino acids except tryptophan.
The seeds are rich in three of the essential amino acids (EAA) (g/16g N)-, isoleucine
(3.16), leucine (5.29) and lysine (4.39) with chemical scores of 75.2, 125.9 and
104.5%, respectively. The other amino acids compared well with the FAO reference
proteins. Tyrosine appeared to be the most limiting amino acid with a chemical score
of 19.14%. Phytochemical screening of the seeds indicated presence of some
bioactive compounds such as saponins, tannins, alkaloids and trace amounts of
anthraquinones. Based on results of this study, the lesser known and under- utilized
oil seed,
L. lanceolata can be a potential source of edible and industrial oil as well as
a source of protein, mineral element and energy supplements in livestock feeds.
Further research can also reveal its potential for human consumption. The presence of
some bioactive substances explains folk medicinal use of the plant.
