Fiber Content and Mineral Composition of the Finger Millet of the Oasis of Gabes Tunisia

Abstract

Despite the decline in the areas reserved for the cultivation of the finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) in the coastal oasis, this specie had occupied an important place in the diet of the inhabitants of the south of Tunisia and especially the region of Gabes. To contribute to a better knowledge of this plant in the oasis of Gabes, mineral and fiber characterizations were performed for 30 samples collected from four oases of Gabes. For each sample 11 nutrients: (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg and N), the crude protein, the neutral detergent fiber, the acid detergent fiber, the crude fiber and ash contents, were studied. Results of minerals analysis showed that calcium and magnesium were the most concentrated nutrients in all studied accessions (189.93-1272.36 mg/100g and 84.71-567.45 mg/100g respectively), followed by potassium (11.24-284.7 mg/100g), sodium (13.73-42.47 mg/100g) and phosphorus (2.208-11.033 mg/100g). Acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, crude fiber and ash average contents of the accessions were respectively higher than 30.58, 12.65, 4.01 and 3.2% of dry matter of the finger millet.