Proximate chemical composition of acha (<i>Digitaria exilis</i>) Grain

Abstract

Abstract Digitaria exilis Stapf is an annual cereal plant indigenous to West Africa where it is cultivated for its straw and edible grains. The plant grows well on poor, sandy or ironstone soil in areas of low rainfall. In northern Nigeria the grain of D exilis, commonly called Acha or hungry rice, is harvested 3–4 months after sowing. Acha is one of the staple cereal foods in northern Nigeria during the dry season. Acha grain can be ground into flour and used to prepare local beverages; it can also be cooked in various forms with fish, meat, legumes or vegetables. The grains are also used to prepare feeds for domestic animals. We have chemically analysed the proximate composition of acha grain as part of its nutritional evaluation.