Comparative Study of the Composition of Gum and Germ in Piliostigma reticulatum (Carob) Seeds

Abstract

Thirty samples of mature dry seeds of Piliostigma reticulatum trees were collected from the area around Nyala town – southern Darfur state – Sudan during the seasons 2014, 2015 and 2016. They were then dehusked; the germ and gum were separated manually. The Physicochemical compositions of the gum and germ samples were determined. Results obtained showed that the mean value for the moisture, ash, crude lipid, crude fiber, crude protein, and total carbohydrate. For gum were: 4.03%, 3.09% ,2.35%, , 4.85%, 17.19 % and 68.59 %, respectively , while those for germ: 5.6% , 7.21 % , 5.04% , 2.07% , 68.38% and 11.74 %, respectively. The e elemental analysis determination using atomic absorption spectrophotometer shows that both the gum and germ are a good source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur, and low a mounts for sodium, zinc and manganese. The water holding capacity of the gum and germ samples 2.64%, 1.93%, respectively. Both gum and germ are insoluble, in hot, cold water and organic solvents due to galactomannan of gum and protein of germ.