Evaluation of Proximate, Mineral Contents, and Anti-nutritional Characteristics of Teff Varieties Grown in Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study evaluated the proximate composition, mineral contents, and anti-nutritional characteristics of teff varieties grown in the Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. Seven improved teff varieties adapted by the Somali Region Livestock and Agricultural Research Institute, one local market teff sample, and one mixed flour sample (teff blended with white rice) were analyzed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists(AOAC) procedures were used to determine moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrate, and energy, while mineral contents were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and flame photometry. Phytate and tannin contents were determined using colorimetric methods. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed significant differences among varieties in all proximate parameters, mineral contents, and tannin levels, while phytate content did not differ significantly. Crude protein ranged from 6.65 to 13.56%, with Simada showing the highest value. Bora had the highest crude fat (5.77%) and energy value (364.7 kcal/100 g), while V.flagale had the highest crude fiber (2.45%). Dagem recorded the highest ash content (2.77%). In mineral analysis, Simada had the highest calcium content (297.2 mg/100 g), Dagem and Boni showed the highest iron contents (22.02 and 21.55 mg/100 g, respectively), Boni and Bishoftu had the highest zinc contents (4.415 mg/100 g), and Negus had the highest potassium (799.0 mg/100 g). Tannin content ranged from 0.3140 to 1.1025 mg/g, with the mixed flour showing the lowest value and Bora the highest. Overall, the study confirmed that teff varieties grown in the Somali Region possess considerable nutritional potential with meaningful varietal differences, indicating strong prospects for their use in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, food product development, and dietary diversification.