Proximate and mineral composition of selected yam cultivars grown in Ghana

Abstract

This study evaluated the proximate and mineral composition of 23 yam cultivars (Dioscorea spp). The samples were bought from Konkomba yam market, Makola, Madina and Malamata markets all based in Accra in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The following parameters were determined for each cultivar: moisture, fat, protein, ash, crude fiber, starch, carbohydrate, energy, phosphorus, calcium and iron. The samples were found to be sources of carbohydrate and energy but very poor source of fat. The samples were also found to have high crude fibre (1.83-2.24g/lOOg) and calcium (6.30-30.50 mg/lOOg) contents. Compositions were in the following ranges: moisture (50.20-72.0 g/lOOg); ash (0.90-1.60 g/lOOg);fat (0.16-0.31g/lOOg); protein (1.60-4.20g/100g); starch (6.00-26.1g/lOOg); iron (0.50-1.30 mg/IOOg) and phosphorous (3.70-29.20mg/lOOg)