Proximate and Mineral Composition of Indigenous Bamboo Shoots of Ethiopia (original) (raw)

Demand for natural and organic foods, including bamboo shoots has greatly increased. In Ethiopia, bamboo shoot of the two indigenous species is traditionally used for food. However, information on nutritional profile of the two indigenous bamboo species and bioavailability of important mineral elements is limited in the country. This paper describes the proximate and mineral composition of bamboo shoot of the two indigenous bamboo species of Ethiopian (Arundinaria alpina and Oxytenanthera abyssinica). Shoot samples, height 10-30 cm, were collected from North western Ethiopia and analyzed for their nutrient and mineral contents following the methods developed by Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The results indicated that A. alpina shoot has higher protein, Ca, P and Crude Fiber and low HCN contents. On dry weight basis, A. alpina contains 31.33% protein, 12.17% crude fiber and 13.67% ash. The mineral content, in mg/100 gm of bamboo shoots, was found to be potassium 1661.17, calcium 369.5, phosphorus 887, and sodium 17.33. O. abyssinica shoot has almost similar nutrient content to A. alpina shoot except difference in very few mineral elements. O. abyssinica shoot has higher potassium. On dry weight basis, it contains 27% protein, 8.67% crude fiber, and 11.33% ash. Its mineral contents in mg/100 gm, dry weight basis, were potassium 4737, calcium 203.8, phosphorus 704 and Na 16.67. The values for tannin and phytate are higher for A. alpina but with very low (below detection level) hydrocyanic acid. The result indicated that mineral and proximate contents also vary depending on location and species. Shoot size has no significant effect on proximate and mineral contents except tannin that increased with shoot size. Generally the two indigenous bamboos have good nutrient profile. Developing improved processing techniques that enhance bioavailability of Fe in bamboo shoot foods of indigenous species is required.