Peanut Hull Flour as a Potential Source of Dietary Fiber

Peanut hull flour (PHF) was prepared from two types of peanuts and subsequently analyzed and evaluated as a dietary fiber source. The yield of PHF from the sheller‐run hulls ranged from 15–33%. The PHF averaged 47.3% crude fiber. The neutral detergent fiber content was 78.1% and consisted of 25.5% lignin, 18.0% hemicellulose, and 34.6% cellulose. Fourteen elements were determined in the ash: P, Ca, Mg, and K were present in the highest concentrations. Holding capacities were 3.1g water/g flour and 1.7g oil/g flour. Cation exchange capacity was 1.0 meq/g flour; emulsifying capacity, 26.6 ml oil/g flour. Gross energy content was 4.57 Kcal/g, but about 0.52 Kcal/g would be available in the monogastric digestive system. Toasting caused a slight darkening of the flour and the flours had a slight peanut flavor. Thus, PHF seems to have potential for use as dietary fiber.