Physical and Biochemical Evaluation of Hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Seeds Grown in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Background: Hibiscus cannabinus L. is cultivated in Burkina Faso for its leaves and seeds and is valued as a food plant and source of traditional products. Aims: This study evaluated the physical, biochemical and mineral characteristics of seeds from 15 Hibiscus cannabinus L. accessions cultivated in Burkina Faso. Methodology: Seed samples obtained after propagation at the experimental site of the Institute for Rural Development in Gampela were ground into powder and analysed in the laboratory. Moisture, ash, lipid, protein and carbohydrate contents were determined using the methods specified in the manuscript, while calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium and zinc concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Quantitative agromorphological traits were also recorded, and the data were analysed using analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, principal component analysis and hierarchical classification. Results: The accessions showed variability in agromorphological, physicochemical and biochemical traits. Calcium and iron contents varied among accessions, with NAG1 showing the highest calcium level and OUT1 showing the highest iron level. Potassium, magnesium, sodium and zinc were present in most accessions, while ash, lipid, protein and carbohydrate contents differed markedly between genotypes. Accessions KOG4, OUO2 and NAG2 had high ash contents, KOT1 and OUT1 showed high moisture contents, KOW3, NAL2 and KOT1 had high carbohydrate contents, and NAG2 showed the highest lipid content. KON3, OUT1 and NAG2 were notable for relatively high protein contents. Principal component analysis explained 48.2% of the total variation, and hierarchical classification separated the accessions into three groups. Conclusion: The findings indicate that Hibiscus cannabinus L. seeds grown in Burkina Faso contain measurable mineral and macronutrient variation that may support further evaluation and targeted use of promising accessions.