Proximate composition and selected functional properties of Detarium microcarpum

Abstract

The proximate composition and functional properties of Detariummicrocarpum seed flour were evaluated. The dehulled seed flour contained3.5% moisture, 3.5% ash, 2.9% crude fiber, 15% crude fat, 37.1% crude protein and 39%carbohydrate. Functional properties showed bulk densityof 0.86 g/cm³ for dehulled and 0.92 g/cm³ for undehulled flour.Water absorption capacity was 4.9 g/g for dehulled and 5.1 g/g forundehulled seed flour; oil absorption capacity was 0.75 g/g for dehulled.The emulsion activity was 4.4% and 4.3% for dehulled and undehulled,respectively. The results obtained above showed that the Detariummicrocarpum seed flours have good nutritional quality and the functionalproperties confirmed their suitability for use in various food preparations.As a result, its present limited use should be expanded into additionalopportunities.