In Vitro Element Bioavailability Studies of Some Underutilized Seeds in Southeast Nigeria

Elemental and antinutritional compositions of three underutilized seeds (Mucuna sloanei, Brachystegia eurycoma and Detarium microcarpum) were analysed to elucidate their safety and wholesomeness as human food supplements or condiments using standard analytical methods. Results showed that there were significant differences in the concentration levels of the elements and the antinutrient contents of the seeds. The toxic element concentration levels clearly indicated that they exhibited acceptable values when compared with the recommended standards. There existed correlation between the contents of potassium, manganese, selenium and lead of the samples; calcium had inverse relationship with the oxalate contents, while lead and manganese had perfect association in all the samples. The results of elemental ratios showed synergistic interactions with exception of iron to zinc ratio in all the seeds. Element bioavailability in the presence of oxalate and phytate were all in tandem with the standard values. The results further revealed that zinc in all the seeds and selenium in Mucuna sloanei and Brachystegia eurycoma were overloaded in the samples, while the elemental safety index values for the other elements indicated that the seeds were safe. Overall, the findings of this study have strongly confirmed the nutritional potentials of these seeds and its safety and wholesomeness as human food condiments.