Characterization of Fatty Acid and Mineral Composition of Selected Seeds, Nuts and Oils in Northern Ghana
Authors: Jain Raghav , Adjepong Mary , Appaw William , Fenton Jenifer , Pickens Charles Austin 
Published: November 2023

Fatty acids (FAs) and micronutrients are crucial for the growth and development of children. Fatty acid and micronutrient deficiency is common in several parts of Africa. Previously, our laboratory analyzed food samples in Southern Ghana to identify foods that may be useful for dietary intervention in areas where malnutrition is prominent. The objective of this study was to determine mineral and FA composition of foods commonly available in Northern Ghana. Seven seeds (neri, peanut, dawadawa, fermented dawadawa, sesame, baobab, soyabean) and three oils (palm, palm kernel, shea butter) were collected from a local market, freeze dried, and packaged in sealed plastic containers before being shipped to Michigan State University for analysis. Upon arrival, samples were stored at −20°C. Fatty acids were extracted from the samples, methylated, and quantified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Analysis of food mineral composition was performed by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. Samples were analyzed for monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), saturated FAs (SFAs), and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) including the essential FAs, linoleic and alpha‐linolenic. Alpha‐linolenic PUFA concentrations were below .5 mg/g for all foods analyzed and, thus, not reported here. Shea butter and palm oil had a high total SFA (342 mg/g and 330 mg/g, respectively) and MUFA (294 mg/g and 248 mg/g, respectively) concentration. Neri seed had the highest linoleic acid concentration of all foods tested (68 mg/g). Sesame seed contained the highest calcium concentration of 8800 mg/kg. Soyabean and baobab seed contained the highest potassium concentrations (15700 mg/kg and 12000 mg/kg, respectively). Baobab seed also had a high magnesium concentration of 3700 mg/kg. Unfermented dawadawa seed and fermented dawadawa had linoleic acid concentrations of 21 mg/g and 55 mg/g and low total SFA concentrations of 16 mg/g and 42 mg/g, respectively. Unfermented and fermented dawadawa had high calcium (5100 mg/kg and 4500 mg/kg respectively) and magnesium concentrations (3300 mg/kg and 3240 mg/kg respectively). Unfermented dawadawa also had a high potassium concentration of 11800 mg/kg. Calcium is important for bone health, magnesium and potassium are important cofactors in metabolism, and essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid are necessary for proper growth and development. In conclusion, due to the regional availability, dawadawa seed may be useful for intervention in areas of Northern Ghana where malnutrition is present. Additionally, palm oil and shea butter are high in SFA content. This may be useful information as we previously reported that SFA intake was adversely associated with cognitive performance in Tanzanian children. Further research is necessary to confirm a negative association with SFA and cognition.

Support or Funding Information

BHEARD [Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural and Research Development; Borlaug Leadership Enhancement and Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP)]; Michigan State University AgBioResearch