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The Proximate Composition, Antinutritional Factors and Selected Minerals in Yellow and White Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Local Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Sunmola, T. A. * , Tuleun, C. D., Orayaga, K. T. and Ahemen, T.

Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2021 24(2): 1-14

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In Nigeria, white and yellow gingers (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) are abundantly available, however, the nutritional composition of turmeric and yellow ginger effects had only been extensively investigated; there is the paucity of information on the nutritional benefits of white ginger. Therefore, this study investigated the nutritional potential of white ginger powder compared to turmeric and yellow ginger powder. Fresh yellow and white ginger and local turmeric were separately procured from the local market within Makurdi town, Benue State, Nigeria. The fresh rhizomes were washed in water to remove adhering soil and chopped into smaller pieces using sharp knives. It was sun-dried on a flat and clean concrete floor to save moisture content. The samples were ground using a hammer mill to obtain a powder of ginger and turmeric. 10 g of the milled samples each were extracted in 20 mL of absolute ethanol for 72 hours at room temperature on a flask shaker and filtered with Whatman No. 1 filter paper. The filtrates obtained were used to screen for the secondary metabolites constituents of the two samples. The result obtained for proximate analysis showed that white ginger powder contained a significantly(p<0.05) higher percentage of crude fibre and ash with the least value of nitrogen-free extract compared to yellow ginger and turmeric. Phytochemical properties of the extracts of the powder of yellow and white ginger and turmeric indicate the presence of saponins, tannins, oxalate, flavonoid, alkaloids and phytates with the significant (p<0.05) higher values recorded on white ginger though at the minimal level. Significant (p<0.05) higher value of calcium and phosphorus recorded for all the materials may qualify their potential source of the desired mineral in poultry diet. It is concluded that yellow and white ginger and local turmeric possesses nutritional qualities that can make them suitable feed additive in the poultry diet.