YIELD, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF LEAF PROTEIN

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the yield, physical properties and chemical composition of Bitter leaf protein concentrates and bagasse extracted using three different methods (Heat, Acid and Alum). Heat coagulation, alum coagulation and acid precipitation methods were used for the extraction of Bitter leaf protein concentrates. Thereafter, the yield, physical properties and chemical composition were determined. From the  results obtained, it  shows that the yield of bagasse 24.332% was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the yield obtained from the three methods 2.202% for acid coagulation, 7.937% for alum precipitation and 6.960% for heat coagulation. The chemical analysis performed on the leaf protein concentrates and bagasse, CP, EE and Ash content from LPC obtained from acid and alum precipitation were statistically the same. The CP and Ash of Bagasse (22.67% and 5.5% respectively) were significantly lower than the CP and Ash obtained from all three methods.  For the minerals, It showed that the Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium and potassium from alum precipitation (852mg/kg, 166.2mg/kg,26.32mg/kg and 2431mgkg) was significantly lower than that of heat coagulation (1166mg/kg, 215.3mg/kg, 78.23mg/kg and 344mg/kg) and acid precipitation (1578mg/kg, 3041mg/kg, 43.65mg/kg and 4945mg/kg).