Evaluating the genetic biodiversity of Bambara groundnut accessions from Nigeria using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Biochemical characterization of Bambara groundnut accessions collected across Nigeria has been performed. Percent (%) fat content varied from 1.42 to 8.16, while mg/ml protein values varied from 42 to 142. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed considerable heterogeneity in the different storage protein fractions. Polypeptide subunits of high molecular weights (above 200 kd), as yet, not reported in other Vigna species were observed in the profile of the protein fractions. The accessions also exhibited significant similarity in their polypeptide profile. However, the presence or absence of the 34 kd subunit band allowed the classification of the accessions into two. The 34 kd band was absent or not detected in six of the accessions (acc. 2, 5, 10, 11, 14 and 17). The results are discussed in the light of the controversy surrounding the taxonomy of Bambara groundnuts.