Approximate composition analysis and nutritive values of different varieties of edible seeds

Background: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2015-2020 supports that healthy eating patterns should include a variety of vegetables from all five of the following vegetable subgroups: dark green, red and orange, legumes, starchy, and others. Aims and Objective: To determine the approximate composition and nutritive values of edible portions of different varieties of popular seeds and to identify the heavy metals contents of these seeds. Materials and Methods: Five different seeds were collected from traditional supermarkets in Benghazi. Moisture and Ash contents in the samples were determined by A.O.A.C method. Total fat and the crude protein content in the seed sample were measured by using soxhlet extraction, and the Kjeldahl method of AOAC, respectively. The mineral content in seeds also determined by Atomic Absorption, spectrophotometer. Result: Five different seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, watermelon seeds, corn and chickpea) were analyzed for determination their protein, fat, energy and moister contents. The highest and signifi cant protein contents found in sunflower seeds 27.5% (p=0.001) whilst the lowest content was observed in corn. The highest fat and carbohydrate contents found in sunflower seeds and in the corn, 50%; 50% (P= 0.014) and (72.4%) (P=0.0005) respectively. In compared to other seeds, the moisture contents of pumpkin seeds presented the highest amount with signifi cant values (p=0.0001). The energy contents of sunflower seeds were the predominant value 626.28 kcal/100 g followed by both pumpkin seeds and watermelon seeds 591.2 and 585.89 kcal/100g respectively. The ash content of pumpkin seeds was approximately 5.87%. Furthermore, Pumpkin seeds had higher amounts of potassium 871 mg/100g, and watermelon seed was the highest sources of calcium (86 mg/100g) than other seeds. Magnesium, Iron and copper signifi cantly found higher in sunflower seeds. Conclusion: Overall seeds could be one of the good sources of food staple for macro and micronutrients, and may have health and economic benefi cial. Consumption of such seeds should be at recommended levels due to presences some quantities of lead and cadmium,which could have detrimental health effect.