Changes in anti-nutrient, phytochemical, and micronutrient contents of different processed rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed meals

Abstract

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is a perennial plant crop grown in many parts of Africa, South East Asia, and South America, especially within the hot and humid climatic regions. Rubber seed, either as feed or food, is a useful raw material to produce edible oil and protein. Despite the huge quantity of rubber seeds produced in Nigeria and its potential as a protein source, rubber seeds still appear neglected and under-utilised as feed/food given its perception as inedible and toxic due to the high concentration of cyanogenic glycoside. Therefore, the quest for effective processing technique(s) that would enhance its food use application is very fitting. This current study was directed to determine the changes in anti-nutrient, phytochemical, and micronutrient contents of different processed rubber seed meals. Specifically, the rubber seeds underwent processing, which employed boiling and the combined action of boiling and fermentation methods that brought about three seed meal flour groups, i.e., raw (RRSM), boiled (BRSM), and fermented (FRSM) seed meals. These were subsequently analysed for anti-nutrient/phytochemical (oxalate, phytate, tannin, phenols, saponin, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), alkaloids, flavonoids, and trypsin inhibitors), and micronutrient (which involved minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, sodium, manganese, lead, and selenium) and vitamin (vitamin B1, B2, B3, C, E, and beta carotene)) contents. The results showed that the processing methods used to achieve the RRSM, BRSM, and FRSM, reduced the anti-nutrients (phytate, tannin, and oxalate) below the acceptable limits, and the HCN below the toxic levels. Importantly, the processing methods herein have not yet succeeded in removing HCN in the (processed) rubber seed meals, but can be seen to be heading toward the right direction. The FRSM obtained significantly lower (p < 0.05) anti-nutrient/phytochemical, but significantly higher (p < 0.05) mineral contents, compared with the other groups (RRSM and BRSM), except for flavonoids that obtained a 30% increase over the BRSM. Some mineral and vitamin contents could be lost in the BRSM compared to the others (RRSM and FRSM) in this study. Additionally, the FRSM obtained higher vitamin contents, after those of RRSM. Overall, the combined action of boiling and fermentation should be recommended for the proper utilisation of rubber seed as food/feed.

In vitro antioxidant extracts evaluation from the residue of the Hevea brasiliensis seed

“…It is possible to verify, in the present work, flavonoid quantification results superior to those of Agbai et al 49 , which were obtained for the sample of raw rubber seed meal (RRSM) Hevea brasiliensis a flavonoid content of 60.00 ± 3.53 mg quercertin 100 g −1 . Zain et al 44 found 0.200 mg of catechin mL −1 for methanol extract with leaves of the rubber tree clone RRIM 3001 Hevea brasiliensis .…”

“…Compared with other works performed in the literature on the species, the content of total phenolic compounds is satisfactory, although there are no studies that analyze the antioxidant potential of Hevea brasiliensis seed bagasse. The extracts in this study reached 7201.32 mg of gallic acid equivalents 100 g −1 (mg GAE 100 g −1 ) in the aqueous extract in the Soxhlet, in the concentration of 20 g L −1 and 4 h of extraction, while Agbai et al 49 found for the sample of raw rubber seed meal Hevea brasiliensis (RRSM) a content of phenolic compounds of 2.77 ± 0.06 mg GAE g −1 . Ismun et al 50 determined the polyphenol content in Hevea brasiliensis latex serum C and in the effluent for rubber processing, finding a 0.0393 g GAE mL −1 in latex serum C and a content of 0.0099 g GAE mL −1 in the effluent.…”

Identification of antinutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of plants that cause livestock poisoning in Bojonegoro Regency, Indonesia

“…A similar study found that the fermentation of sweet potato leaf meal by Chaetomium globosum could reduce antinutritional factors such as tannin, phytates, trypsin inhibitors, alkaloids, and oxalates [59]. Agbai et al [60] added that fermentation and boiling processes could reduce tannins, alkaloids, oxalates, and hydrogen cyanide in Hevea brasiliensis seeds. Chopping, drying, soaking, germination, and cooking were also found to reduce antinutritional factors such as tannins, alkaloids, cyanides, phytates, and oxalates in various plants [61][62][63].…”

An elaborative discussion on the potentiality, functional characteristics, curative effects, antinutritional factors, processing, and industrial applications of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) as a versatile legume

“…Additionally, plant-derived proteins are abundant in dietary fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, oligosaccharides, and carbohydrates, which have been linked to reducing the cardiovascular ailments, LDL cholesterol levels, obesity, and type II diabetes (Langyan et al, 2022). Numerous publications, such as the Knorr/World Wide Fund for Nature's 50 Future Foods, have recognised a range of lesser-utilised plant crops that hold great potential as protein sources in our diets (Ahmadian-Kouchaksaraei, Z., et al, 2014;Colgrave et al, 2021;Mulla et al, 2022).…”

“…Animal‐derived foods are appropriately balanced concerning vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and protein content, making them optimal sources of nutrition. Therefore, it is important to ensure that plant‐based alternatives offer adequate nutritional quality (Semba et al ., 2016; Jeske et al ., 2018; Vanga & Raghavan, 2018; Agbai et al ., 2021; Ofoedu et al ., 2022). Plant proteins offer essential amino acids, important macronutrients, and can provide complete protein nutrition.…”