Evaluation of flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds as an alternative source of functional feed ingredients

Abstract

This research work presents the proximate, minerals and anti-nutritional factors of edible oil seeds;
flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds. The seeds were procured from an open market in Umuahia, Abia
State and analyzed following standard procedure. Results from the proximate analysis showed that the
seeds had appreciable amount of dry matter (93.13%; 95.78% and 93.92%), crude protein (19.84%;
26.23%; 29.83%), also with a high value for ether extract which are 43.87%; 52.88% and 48.77%
respectively. The seeds also had lower value of crude fibre (9.66%; 5.17%, 6.16%). The mineral
analysis showed that the seeds had sodium (0.03%; 0.60%; 0.43%), potassium (0.75%; 1.27%;
0.90%), calcium (0.24%; 1.18%; 0.68%) while the micro minerals showed that flaxseed, sesame and
pumpkin seeds had appreciable concentration of zinc (43.90mg/kg; 35.41mg/kg; 31.97mgkg), copper
(14.71mg/kg; 6.13mg/kg; 5.68mg/kg) and iron (55.78mg/kg; 94.58mg/kg; 78.58mg/kg). The antinutritional factor constituents of flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds showed that phytate
concentrations were 0.88%; 0.12% and 0.21% for flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds respectively.
The oxalate recorded a value of 0.39%; 0.09%and 0.11% for flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds,
while saponin concentration was 0.36% for flaxseed, 0.20%for sesame seed and 0.23% for pumpkin
seed. Tannin had concentration of 0.01% for flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds respectively while
trypsin inhibitors were 26.77mg/g, 28.67mg/g and 31.05mg/g for flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin seeds
respectively. This study showed that the seeds of flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin can be good sources of
protein, ether extract, carbohydrate and minerals. Therefore, these seeds can be exploited as
commercial source to supplement livestock feedstuffs.