Abstract:
Sorghum is an important food crop in the world that exhibits a predominant role in
fulfilling the nutritional requirements, particularly in low- income group populations of
marginal areas in Kenya. It is a principal source of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and
crude fibers (CFs), which are important nutrients necessary for human development
and health. Reduced tannin in sorghum grains is desirable since it affects the availability
of
nutrients.
This
study
aimed
at
assessing
the
nutrient
content
in
filial
generation
one
(F1
)
developed
between
Gadam
(sorghum),
which
is
low
in
tannin
and
hard
coat
tannin
(sorghum)
cultivars.
The
nutrient
content
analyses
were
carried
out
from
samples
collected
in
a
completely
randomized
design
experiment.
Crude
protein
(CP)
and
tannin
content
were
analyzed
using
the
modified
Kjeldahl
method
and
vanillin-
HCl
methanol
method,
respectively,
whereas
moisture,
fat,
CF,
ash,
and
carbohydrate
contents
were
determined
using
Association
of
Official
Analytical
Chemists
methods.
Data
collected were subjected to analysis of variance using R statistical software.
Among the F1
s, Kari/Mtama- 1 x Gadam recorded the highest CP value of 10.390%.
This differed significantly from Gadam x Kari/Mtama- 1 which recorded CP content of
9.770%. Kari/Mtama- 1 x Gadam recorded the highest fat and moisture contents of
2.299% and 8.600%, respectively. The highest CF content of 3.433% was recorded in
Gadam x Serena. Gadam x Kari/Mtama- 1 recorded the highest ash content of 1.619%,
whereas the highest carbohydrate (84.503%) and tannin content (0.771 mg/g) means
were recorded in Seredo x Gadam. Results demonstrated that the choice of maternal
and
paternal
parent
influence
CP,
CF,
and
carbohydrate
contents.
Among
the
F1
s,
tannin
content
ranged
from
0.106
to
0.771
mg/g
compared
to
0.953
to
1.763
mg/g
recorded
in
Serena
and
Seredo
(hard
coat
seeded
cultivars).
This
is
an
indication
that
tannin
can
be
downregulated
through
hybridization.
