ANTI-NUTRITIONAL CONSTITUENT OF COLOCASIA ESCULENTA ...

CHAPTERA-5
CONCLUSION
A.5.1 Nutritional and anti-nutritional evaluation
The increasedrecognition ofthe health-protecting effects ofnon-nutrient, bio-active food
components found in fruits and vegetables has directed immense attention toward
vegetables as a vital part ofdaily diet. Colocasia esculenta L. is an important staple food
for various populations (Huang et al., 2006). Amadumbe tubers make a significant
contribution to the diet ofrural people in Zululand. However, their nutritional value has
not been studied adequately.
The nutritional value ofany food depends largely on the quality ofingredients used. This
is measured in terms ofthe food's capacity to encourage growth and maintain the animals
consuming it in good condition. Food content includes both the useful and the harmful
components offood Issues relating to food safety are causing more concern than ever: it
has to be eusured that no food will be harmful to the consumer when it is processed
and/or eaten according to its intended use (FAOIWHO, 1991). The study of the
composition offood is not only related to the nutrients in the human diet, but also to the
potentially dangerous anti-nutrient elements.
Nutritional composition of Colocasia esculenta is similar to that reported for most
cultivated taro and cocoyam species in several parts ofthe world. The high moisture and
caIbohydrate content and the low amounts of fat and protein are typical of most roots
crops (Onayemi and Nwigwe, 1987). The use ofAmadumbe as food material for human
consumption could be encouraged. It has been shown that Amadumbe tubers are
generally low in mineral content apart from potassium and magnesium. This
notwithstanding, if they are consumed together with ingredients high in micro- and
macromineral elements, their health value, and hence utilization, would increase.
78