COMPRARATIVE STUDY OF PROTEIN AND FIBER CONTENTS OF SOYA BEAN AND COW PEA

Abstract

The study of protein and fiber content in cowpea and soybean is of significant importance due to their critical roles in human nutrition, food security, and agricultural sustainability, especially in regions facing protein-energy malnutrition (FAO, 2023; World Health Organization, 2022). Both legumes are widely consumed and serve as affordable, high quality plant-based alternatives to animal proteins. Cowpea, also known as black-eyed pea or southern pea, is an ancient and widely grown annual herbaceous legume, particularly prevalent in the semi-arid tropics of Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe and the Americas (Singh et al., 2019).Soybeans (Glycine max) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) samples were procured from the Sokoto Central Market. The seeds were sorted to remove dirt, broken seeds, and other foreign materials. The samples were air-dried and ground into fine powder using a laboratory grinder. Each powdered sample was stored in airtight containers and kept in a cool, dry place until further analysis. Data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine significant differences between soybean and cowpea in terms of their proximate composition. The result revealed that; Cowpea (5.87%) has higher crude fiber than soybeans (3.46%), which may enhance digestibility but lower energy density. Nitrogen: Soybeans (2.62%) contain more nitrogen than cowpea (1.73%), reflecting higher amino acid content. In Protein: Soybeans (16.82%) are richer in protein compared to cowpea (10.70%), making them superior for protein-based diets. Carbohydrates (CHO): Cowpea (57.45%) has higher carbohydrate than soybeans (46.15%), making it more energy-dense but less protein-rich. The study concluded that; The compositional differences between cowpea and soybean suggest that each legume has unique nutritional and functional advantages. While soybean is preferable for protein and oil extraction, cowpea’s high carbohydrate and fiber contents make it suitable for direct human consumption in regions where energy supply is critical