Preliminary studies on the genetic nutritive potential of three African oil seeds

Three african oil seeds of soyabean (Glycine max L. Merill) Beniseed (Sesamu indicum L. ) and melon (Cucumis melo L. ) were evaluated as potential oil seeds in a southern guinea savannah agro-eosystems, using soyabean as a standard reference crop. Experimental techniques included approved Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC1984) for proximate analysis, kjedahl for protein estimate and soxlet extraction using petroleum spirit as a solvent for l content. While chemical composition values compare favourably in the three experimental materials, crude protein data vary appreciably in the order soyabean>melon>beniseed. However, carbohydrate contents are in the order Beniseed>melon>soyabean. Oil weight per 200g of the samples indicate variable values in the order Beniseed>melon>soyabean.