| dc.description |
Varieties of legumes are recognized as an important source of protein and dietary
minerals by a number of ethnic groups in East, South and Central Africa. Among the
legume that is preferred by most Africans are the bean varieties. Beans are consumed
in many forms: the young leaves, green pods, and fresh bean grains are used as
vegetables; dry bean grains are used in various food preparations, and both are used as
relish or side dishes together with the staple food. Apart from alleviating food
insecurity, the bean leaves, green bean pods and fresh bean grains are good sources of
micronutrients especially iron and zinc. Thirty eight varieties of beans deemed to be
rich in minerals iron and zinc collected from a number of locations in East and
Central Africa were brought from University of Nairobi and multiplied at Sokoine
University of Agriculture, Morogoro. Bean leaves and fresh beans grains were picked
for analysis after the plants reached three weeks and two months, respectively. Iron
and zinc content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer after ashing
the samples. Analysis showed that leaves had significantly (P<0.05) more iron than
the fresh bean grains. For bean leaves, Maharagi soja had the highest level of iron
(1653.9 mg/100g) followed by Nain De Kiondo (1061.1 mg/100g). Similarly,
Maharagi soja had the highest level of zinc (40.8 mg/100g), followed by Kiangara
(40.5 mg/100g). Variety HRS 545 fresh bean grains, had the highest level of iron
(1114.0 mg/100g) followed by Ituri Matata (983.4 mg/100g) while highest zinc
content was found in HRS 545 (41.1 mg/100g) followed by RWR 10 (41.1 mg/100g).
These levels of minerals are significantly higher than the average amount found in dry
bean grains (Fe 5.6 – 8.0 mg/100g) and (Zn 1.7 - 2.0 mg/100g). Creating more
awareness and encouraging the utilization of bean leaves and fresh bean grains will
contribute in alleviating micronutrient deficiencies especially among the vulnerable
groups such as children, pregnant and lactating women, and resource-poor families. |
|