Detailed Analyses of Nymphea Seeds Consumed in the Senegal River Valley

Physicochemical investigations were performed on seeds of Nymphea lotus and N. micrantha consumed in the Senegal River valley. They revealed a composition similar to that of cereals. In order to estimate their intrinsic quality, the determination of their amino acid, fatty acid and monosaccharids profiles was done. The results indicate that monosaccharides are represented specifically by saccharose (7%) and glucose (0.67%); a predominance of stea- ric acid and linoleic acid as unsaturated...