Investigation on some nutritional and toxicological properties of Afzelia africana and Detarium microcarpum seed oil.

The characteristics of oil recovered from seeds of two tropical legumes have been investigated. Seed oils of Afzelia africana and Detarium microcarpum were low. The oils contained beta-carotene, plant sterols, phospholipid and glycolipids. Toxicological studies show absence of gossypol and no detectable mycotoxins. The gum content of the seeds were high. Linoleic acid were the predominant fatty acids. The implication of this study is a strong recommendation of the legume as alternatives to conventional legumes in human nutrition.