Comparative Study of the Proximate Nutrient and Phytochemical Compositions of Frafra Potato Varieties Grown in Northern Ghana
Ayimbire Abonuusum
Department of Ecological Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Bolgatanga Technical University, P. O. Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.
Joseph Kinansua Laary *
Department of Ecological Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Bolgatanga Technical University, P. O. Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.
James Anaba Akolgo
Department of Ecological Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Bolgatanga Technical University, P. O. Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.
Joseph Asampana Akolgo
MEAL Specialist, CARE International, Ghana.
Awinseligo Ayisoba
Department of Ecological Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Bolgatanga Technical University, P. O. Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Frafra potato is an indigenous edible root tuber crop cultivated and consumed by the rural households in Northern Savannah areas, particularly the Upper East Region of Ghana, with varying genotypes and nutritional component traits. The study was conducted to determine and compare the nutritional and Phytochemical Compositions of the crop.
Materials and Methods: Six frafra potato varieties were grown in polypropylene sacks in a garden in the Upper East Region of Ghana. After harvest, the fresh root tubers were ground and used to determine their proximate nutrients, phytochemical, antioxidant and flavonoids concentrations
Results: The root tubers of the varieties were rich in the determined nutrients compositions at varying levels. The highest protein content of 3.78 ± 0.23% and the lowest of 2.68 ± 0.06% were respectively found in ML and WP varieties. Carbohydrates content ranged from the lowest of 17.95 ± 2.25% in NT variety to the highest of 29.77 ± 0.32% in ML. The highest crude fiber content (3.06 ± 0.05%) was again found in the ML while the lowest (1.73 ± 0.07%) occurred in the LV variety. The lowest fat (0.23 ± 0.02%) was recorded in ML while the highest (0.63 ± 0.04%) was recorded in MM variety. The highest amount of ash (1.94 ± 0.07%) was recorded in WP and the least content of ash (0.96 ± 0.04%) in LV variety. The ML variety recorded the highest moisture content of 74.96 ± 2.06%, with the NT recording the lowest moisture (62.09 ± 0.16%). The phytochemical concentration of the root tubers ranged in total phenolics from 69.48 mgGAE/100g in the WP to 82.84 mgGAE/100g in the LV. In total flavonoids from 17.84 mgGAE/100g in LV to 25.16 mgGAE/100g in MM. The mean oxidative capacity was 48.09%.
Conclusion: Comparing across the root tubers proximate nutrients and active ingredients compositions, the six varieties contained varying compositions of the proximate nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants. The root tubers of the ML variety recorded the highest contents of the proximate nutrients (protein, carbohydrate and crude fiber). The variety also recorded the lowest fat content, which makes it the most nutritional superior among the six varieties. The ML variety should be recommended for farmers’ production to improve household nutrition, and for crop improvement programmes in Northern Ghana.
Keywords: Frafra potato, tubers, nutrients, phytochemicals, composition