Comparative evaluation of seed quality and physico-chemical properties of groundnut varieties consumed in Nigeria
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Date
2025
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AAU J. Physical & Applied Sciences
Abstract
Groundnuts have been established to have great health benefits due to their biochemical constituents. Varieties abound, differing in their quality of seed and oil characteristics; hence, the need to continually assess the characteristics of the seeds, most importantly the improved varieties, whose chemical composition and physico-chemical properties are scant in the literature. In this study, the proximate, mineral and physico-chemical properties of five groundnut varieties (KAMPALA, SAMNUTS 23, 24, 25 and 28) were evaluated using standard procedures. The results revealed that crude protein, fat and fibre were higher in SAMNUT23 when compared to other varieties. Aside from ash and carbohydrate, the KAMPALA variety recorded the lowest values of all parameters. Regardless of varietal differences in mineral elements, the seeds were rich in phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and magnesium, compared to other essential elements such as zinc, iron, copper, and nitrogen. However, the mineral elements were significantly higher in SAMNUT varieties when compared to KAMPALA. The physico-chemical properties did not show appreciable differences except for acid value, iodine value and saponification values, which were significantly lowest in SAMNUT28. The findings revealed that all the SAMNUTvarieties, especially SAMNUT23, 24 and 25, had superior quality; hence, their use in seed certification, food processing and breeding programmes within the groundnut value chain in Nigeria should be encouraged.