ABSTRACT

The pressures from population growth and poverty contribute to severe malnutrition and continue to al That nearly hail' of' the world's population (Gardener and I I, 2000). Some estimates indicate that noise than 840 million people do not have enough food to meet their daily needs (Gardener and Ilaliveil. 2000). Also alarming is that an 18 Percent rise in the number of malnourished children is projected in Africa by 2020 (IFPRI. 2001). One of the most disturbing aiid prevalent nutritional problem in the developing countries, particularly in Nigeria is protein-energy malnutrition (Shils and Olson. 1999). The cause has been attributed to many factors such as high cost ol' animalbased protein löods and the underutilization of the available leguminous plants I tigha and A kuimbi, 200_S ). Such mnalnuti'i lion prevents much of the worlds population from reaching their 1'ull potential mentally, physically or financially (Gardener and I laliveil. 2000). The role of plant foods in combating malnutrition cannot be over-emphasized. Over 2 billion people suffer from malnutrition. Also the increasing recognition of the important roles of' plant foods as sources ol increasing income nationally and ibm' individuals has led to the increasing riced br plant hiodivcrsity (Achi. 1992). 1 'egume 2 Seeds have comparative higher protein content than non-legume materials probably due to the additional nitrogen that legumes receive through nitrogen fixation symbiosis Kurlovich and Repyer. I 999). This high protein content iiiakes them desirable crops in agriculture (Kurlovich and Repyer. 1999).