摘要：The study examines the proximate and mineral composition of Carnavalia ensiformis seeds subjected to varying periods of boiling in water. There were four treatments, which comprised: 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs and 4 hrs water boiling. Each treatment was made up of three replicates. After the expiration of each boiling period, the water was discarded, sun-dried for 7 days and thereafter milled to pass through 1 mm sieve and subjected to laboratory analysis. The study revealed the following: Dry matter did not differ significantly, P < 0.01, across treatments. Crude protein recorded for the 4 hrs boiling had a higher value of 21%. Highest crude fibre was recorded for the 2 hrs boiling. Ether extract decreased in value up to the 3 hrs treatment time but later increased in seeds boiled for 4 hrs. Ash content decreased from 4% in the raw seeds to 2% after boiling for 2 hrs but later increased to 4% in seeds subjected to 4 hrs boiling. Magnesium level increased to 20% in seeds boiled for 3 hrs but zinc level decreased from 0.73% in the raw seeds to 0.42% in seeds subjected to 4 hrs of boiling. Iron content recorded a decrease at 3 hrs of boiling but boiling for 4 hrs recorded an increase while copper content recorded an increase in seeds boiled for 3 hrs. The results revealed that subjecting seeds of Canavalia ensiformis to 4 hrs boiling in water led to a release more nutrients in improve form.
