Detailed Analyses of Nymphea Seeds Consumed in the Senegal River Valley

Abstract

Physicochemical investigations were performed on seeds of Nymphea lotus and N. micrantha consumed in the Senegal River valley. They revealed a composition similar to that of cereals. In order to estimate their intrinsic quality, the determination of their amino acid, fatty acid and monosaccharids profiles was done. The results indicate that monosaccharides are represented specifically by saccharose (7%) and glucose (0.67%); a predominance of stearic acid and linoleic acid as unsaturated acids (24.86%); arachidic and palmitic acids as the only saturated acid found (11.12%); a good ratio of unsaturated/saturated acid (2.23); a lack of oleic acid, linoleic, palmitoleic, myristic, caprylic acids; a poor-quality index protein due to low quantity amino acids. Nevertheless, all essential amino acids are present in the seeds. The Nymphea sp grains consumed by the populations around the Senegal River valley offer an interesting nutritional quality linked to fatty acids and carbohydrates.