The peanut kernel is very nutritious, containing 38-60% fat, 24-36% protein, 10-23% carbohydrate, about 3% minerals as well as other bioactive components. Nuts (including peanuts) are considered valuable sources of minerals to the human diets.
Peanut is a fairly good source of some dietary minerals. It contains elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron and certain trace elements such as manganese copper, zinc and born in appreciable amounts.
Some of these ‘hard to find’ minerals such as copper and magnesium may protect against coronary heart disease.
Roasted peanuts contained more minerals than raw seeds, probably due to the loss of moisture during heat treatment.
Atomic absorption spectroscopy has been the primary means of measuring minerals in foods, including peanuts.
Minerals in peanut
