Abstract

Nutrients Enrichment Patterns of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus)

Author(s): Si-Qun Jing and Reheman Aibaila

The nutrients variation patterns of the tiger nut leaves, roots and tubers was measured by oven drying, soxhlet extraction, titration and kjeldahl method in the whole growing periods. The moisture content of the tiger nut was decreased throughout its growth cycle with time, but there are differences in different organs. The starch content was increased with reducing of fat content. The root oil content of the tiger nut was upheaval features with the fast increased in the growing days of 100 with the maximum value of 8%. Gradually it was decreased and the harvest value was recorded about 3 %. Although there was no significant changes of starch content but the root starch content was always higher than the oil. Tuber starch and oil content was increased with the increasing of growing time but in the growing of middle, the changes were irregularities. Reducing sugars and protein content of the tuber also did not change significantly. The order of the tiger nut leaves compositionÂ’s content was starch> oil> reducing sugar >protein with value of 26.4%, 9%, 6.4%, 2%while the tuber was starch> oil> reducing sugar>protein with the value of 49%, 30%, 7% and 1.1 %. For the starch purpose, the harvest time could be around 142d. However, harvest time could require staying longer in soil.