THE YIELD, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF OPEPE (Nauclea diderrichii, De Wild. and T. Durand) LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND BAGASSE, EXTRACTED USING THREE DIFFERENT METHODS

The study was carried out to determine the yield, physical and chemical composition of Opepe leaves (Nauclea diiderrichi) De Wild. and T. Durand. The leaves used were harvested and blended, before theleaf Protein Concentrate was extracted using 3 different methods (Heat coagulation , acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods) . The result from the analysis showed that acid coagulation , alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods yielded 2.398% , 3.913% and 6.383% respectively. The yield of bagasse was 23.508%. The result of the proximate analysis showed that the dry matter and NFE were higher in alum precipitation method than in acid coagulation and heat coagulation methods . It also showed that CP , CF and ASH were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods, while EE was higher in the heat coagulation method than in the other two methods . The mineral analysis showed that Mg , Na and P were higher in the heat coagulation method than in the acid coagulation and alum precipitation methods . It also showed that K , Fe and Mn were higher in the acid coagulation method than in the alum precipitation and heat coagulation methods . LPC result of Ca , showed that acid and heat coagulation methods yielded the same amount, which were higher than that of alum precipitation method .