PROXIMATE AND AMINO ACID ANALYSES OF THE STEM OF SESAMUM INDICUM L. (BLACK SEED SPECIE) PEDALIACEAE

Abstract

Proximate composition and amino acid profile analyses of the stem of Sesamum indicum (black seed specie) were done based on the standard methods of the Association of official Analytical chemists (AOAC) and the Applied Biosystems PTH Amino acid analyzer. Proximate analysis showed that Sesamum indicum (black seed specie) stems contained moisture content of 6.00± 0.02; ash content 9.62± 0.03; fibre content of 17.99± 0.14; carbohydrate content of 7.38± 0.06; Crude fat had the lowest value of 1.16± 0.01. The amino acid analysis revealed various percentages of nineteen different amino acids; amounts of essential amino acids in g/100 g of protein content were: leucine = 4.00, isoleucine = 3.40, threonine = 2.89, phenylalnine = 2.84,histidine = 2.24, lysine =3.16, methionine = 0.89, valine = 3.62 and tryptophan = 0.73. This study reveals  the presence of compounds of nutritious value such as carbohydrate, protein and fibre  reveals, as well asreasonable amounts of essential amino acids needed to enhance nutrition. This, therefore, suggests that that stemof sesame (black-seed specie) could be useful in enhancing human, as well as, livestock nutrition. The stems of Sesamum indicum (black seed specie) which is usually thrown away after the removal of seeds and leavescould serve as a source of food and supplement for amino acids.KEYWORDS: Proximate analysis, essential amino acids, Sesamum indicum