Nutritional profiling of Twenty-Five Genotypes of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex A. Rich Herms) Grown in Humid Agroecology of Nigeria

African yam bean (AYB) is a Sub-Saharan African stable food with high nutritional value. There is a lack of improved varieties of AYB that can adapt to varied agroecological conditions. This study aimed to determine the nutritional and anti-nutritional contents of AYB grown in humid agroecology of Nigeria. Twenty-five genotypes (G1 – G25) of AYB planted in a randomized complete block design in 3 replications and 25 treatments were grown in humid environment in the 2020 planting season. After harvesting, they were analyzed for their nutritional and anti-nutritional qualities. Twenty (20) genotypes were identified for selection based on high vitamins, minerals, nutrients and low anti-nutrient compositions. Genotype for vitamins study were G23-Orokam for retinol (493.67 µg/100g), G21-Ikom for thiamin (15.95 mg/100g), G24-Nsukka for riboflavin (6.18 mg/100g), G7-Dybw11 for niacin (9.22 mg/100g), G19-Ekureku for ascorbic acid (2.79 mg/100g), and G20-Ediba for alpha tocopherol (8.45 mg/100g), while genotypes for minerals study were G25-Abakaliki for phosphorus (231.50 mg/100g), G13-DybB17 for magnesium (16.22 mg/100g) and sodium (4.60 ppm), G18-Ugep for potassium (6.01 ppm), G24-Nsukka for calcium (19.90 ppm), G11-DybS14 for copper (0.29 ppm), G22-Onueke for iron (7.48 ppm), and G6-DybS10 for zinc (0.25 ppm). Genotypes for nutrients study were G10-DybB15 for carbohydrates (72.70%), G19-Ekureku for protein (24.95%), G2-DybS4 for fibre (3.75%), G11-DybS14 for fat (2.25%), Ediba and G19-Ekureku for ash (3.43%), and G8-DybS11 for moisture content (7.75%). Genotype G1-DybB with high mineral contents and low anti-nutritional content is safer for consumption, and is recommended for selection in quality breeding improvement study.