Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria

Majiok Koak Nyoach; Nega Berhane Tessema; Happiness Ogba Oselebe; Isaac Ishaku Simon

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria

Majiok Koak Nyoach^*

, Nega Berhane Tessema

, Happiness Ogba Oselebe, Isaac Ishaku Simon

Published in International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Received: 6 July 2026 Accepted: 16 July 2026 Published: 28 September 2026

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Abstract

Black fonio (Digitaria iburua) is a small annual herbaceous cereal crop, which produces very small grains. Fonio belongs to the family Poaceae, sub-family of Panicoideae, and genus Digitaria. It is believed to have a great potential in solving food crisis and malnutrition, but Limited information is available on various aspects of this crop. This study aimed to characterize nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the black fonio accessions collected in Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bauchi state Northeast of Nigeria. In this study, 41 black fonio accessions were sowed using alpha lattice design. An analysis on nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the accessions was carried out. The molecular diversity study of the accessions was carried out using 14 SSR markers. The data obtained in this study were analysed using R-programming for nutritional and phytochemical data and DARWin software for molecular data. The result showed mean proximate contents as follows; moisture (7.97%), Protein (9.343%), lipid (2.96%), fibre (2.16%), Ash (2.11%), Carbohydrate (77.53%), and energy (365.5134 kcal). Microelements detected in D. iburua include Potassium (1.9 mg/l), Zinc (0.55 mg/l), Phosphorous (8.62 mg/l), Sulfur (37.3%), Sodium (1.3 mg/l), Magnesium (0.15 mg/l), Iron (0.15 mg/l), Copper (0.17 mg/l), and Calcium (1.52 mg/l). In addition, phytochemical analysis indicates the present of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol and tannin in the selected solvents. Finally, D. iburua displayed three major clusters with genetic similarity at 0.68. In conclusion, the outcome of this study signified that black fonio accessions qualified to be good sources of functional diets for health as well as it could serve as future crops for solving the global food crisis and malnutrition in changing climate.

Published in	International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
Page(s)	15-28
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Biochemical, Black Fonio, Genetic, molecular marker, Proximate, Phytochemical

References

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Nyoach, M. K., Tessema, N. B., Oselebe, H. O., Simon, I. I. (2026). Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria. International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 11(2), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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Nyoach, M. K.; Tessema, N. B.; Oselebe, H. O.; Simon, I. I. Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria. Int. J. Biochem. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 2026, 11(2), 15-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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Nyoach MK, Tessema NB, Oselebe HO, Simon II. Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria. Int J Biochem Biophys Mol Biol. 2026;11(2):15-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11,
  author = {Majiok Koak Nyoach and Nega Berhane Tessema and Happiness Ogba Oselebe and Isaac Ishaku Simon},
  title = {Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {15-28},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbbmb.20261102.11},
  abstract = {Black fonio (Digitaria iburua) is a small annual herbaceous cereal crop, which produces very small grains. Fonio belongs to the family Poaceae, sub-family of Panicoideae, and genus Digitaria. It is believed to have a great potential in solving food crisis and malnutrition, but Limited information is available on various aspects of this crop. This study aimed to characterize nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the black fonio accessions collected in Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bauchi state Northeast of Nigeria. In this study, 41 black fonio accessions were sowed using alpha lattice design. An analysis on nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the accessions was carried out. The molecular diversity study of the accessions was carried out using 14 SSR markers. The data obtained in this study were analysed using R-programming for nutritional and phytochemical data and DARWin software for molecular data. The result showed mean proximate contents as follows; moisture (7.97%), Protein (9.343%), lipid (2.96%), fibre (2.16%), Ash (2.11%), Carbohydrate (77.53%), and energy (365.5134 kcal). Microelements detected in D. iburua include Potassium (1.9 mg/l), Zinc (0.55 mg/l), Phosphorous (8.62 mg/l), Sulfur (37.3%), Sodium (1.3 mg/l), Magnesium (0.15 mg/l), Iron (0.15 mg/l), Copper (0.17 mg/l), and Calcium (1.52 mg/l). In addition, phytochemical analysis indicates the present of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol and tannin in the selected solvents. Finally, D. iburua displayed three major clusters with genetic similarity at 0.68. In conclusion, the outcome of this study signified that black fonio accessions qualified to be good sources of functional diets for health as well as it could serve as future crops for solving the global food crisis and malnutrition in changing climate.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria
AU  - Majiok Koak Nyoach
AU  - Nega Berhane Tessema
AU  - Happiness Ogba Oselebe
AU  - Isaac Ishaku Simon
Y1  - 2026/09/28
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
T2  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JF  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JO  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
SP  - 15
EP  - 28
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5862
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
AB  - Black fonio (Digitaria iburua) is a small annual herbaceous cereal crop, which produces very small grains. Fonio belongs to the family Poaceae, sub-family of Panicoideae, and genus Digitaria. It is believed to have a great potential in solving food crisis and malnutrition, but Limited information is available on various aspects of this crop. This study aimed to characterize nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the black fonio accessions collected in Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bauchi state Northeast of Nigeria. In this study, 41 black fonio accessions were sowed using alpha lattice design. An analysis on nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the accessions was carried out. The molecular diversity study of the accessions was carried out using 14 SSR markers. The data obtained in this study were analysed using R-programming for nutritional and phytochemical data and DARWin software for molecular data. The result showed mean proximate contents as follows; moisture (7.97%), Protein (9.343%), lipid (2.96%), fibre (2.16%), Ash (2.11%), Carbohydrate (77.53%), and energy (365.5134 kcal). Microelements detected in D. iburua include Potassium (1.9 mg/l), Zinc (0.55 mg/l), Phosphorous (8.62 mg/l), Sulfur (37.3%), Sodium (1.3 mg/l), Magnesium (0.15 mg/l), Iron (0.15 mg/l), Copper (0.17 mg/l), and Calcium (1.52 mg/l). In addition, phytochemical analysis indicates the present of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol and tannin in the selected solvents. Finally, D. iburua displayed three major clusters with genetic similarity at 0.68. In conclusion, the outcome of this study signified that black fonio accessions qualified to be good sources of functional diets for health as well as it could serve as future crops for solving the global food crisis and malnutrition in changing climate.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Majiok Koak Nyoach

Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5300-1432
Nega Berhane Tessema

Institute of Biotechnology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3178-2100
Happiness Ogba Oselebe

Department of Crop Production & Landscape Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Isaac Ishaku Simon

Department of Crop Production & Landscape Management, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

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Nyoach, M. K., Tessema, N. B., Oselebe, H. O., Simon, I. I. (2026). Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria. International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 11(2), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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Nyoach, M. K.; Tessema, N. B.; Oselebe, H. O.; Simon, I. I. Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria. Int. J. Biochem. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 2026, 11(2), 15-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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AMA Style

Nyoach MK, Tessema NB, Oselebe HO, Simon II. Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria. Int J Biochem Biophys Mol Biol. 2026;11(2):15-28. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11,
  author = {Majiok Koak Nyoach and Nega Berhane Tessema and Happiness Ogba Oselebe and Isaac Ishaku Simon},
  title = {Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {15-28},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbbmb.20261102.11},
  abstract = {Black fonio (Digitaria iburua) is a small annual herbaceous cereal crop, which produces very small grains. Fonio belongs to the family Poaceae, sub-family of Panicoideae, and genus Digitaria. It is believed to have a great potential in solving food crisis and malnutrition, but Limited information is available on various aspects of this crop. This study aimed to characterize nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the black fonio accessions collected in Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bauchi state Northeast of Nigeria. In this study, 41 black fonio accessions were sowed using alpha lattice design. An analysis on nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the accessions was carried out. The molecular diversity study of the accessions was carried out using 14 SSR markers. The data obtained in this study were analysed using R-programming for nutritional and phytochemical data and DARWin software for molecular data. The result showed mean proximate contents as follows; moisture (7.97%), Protein (9.343%), lipid (2.96%), fibre (2.16%), Ash (2.11%), Carbohydrate (77.53%), and energy (365.5134 kcal). Microelements detected in D. iburua include Potassium (1.9 mg/l), Zinc (0.55 mg/l), Phosphorous (8.62 mg/l), Sulfur (37.3%), Sodium (1.3 mg/l), Magnesium (0.15 mg/l), Iron (0.15 mg/l), Copper (0.17 mg/l), and Calcium (1.52 mg/l). In addition, phytochemical analysis indicates the present of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol and tannin in the selected solvents. Finally, D. iburua displayed three major clusters with genetic similarity at 0.68. In conclusion, the outcome of this study signified that black fonio accessions qualified to be good sources of functional diets for health as well as it could serve as future crops for solving the global food crisis and malnutrition in changing climate.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua) Accessions Collected in Northern Nigeria
AU  - Majiok Koak Nyoach
AU  - Nega Berhane Tessema
AU  - Happiness Ogba Oselebe
AU  - Isaac Ishaku Simon
Y1  - 2026/09/28
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
T2  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JF  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
JO  - International Journal of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
SP  - 15
EP  - 28
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5862
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbbmb.20261102.11
AB  - Black fonio (Digitaria iburua) is a small annual herbaceous cereal crop, which produces very small grains. Fonio belongs to the family Poaceae, sub-family of Panicoideae, and genus Digitaria. It is believed to have a great potential in solving food crisis and malnutrition, but Limited information is available on various aspects of this crop. This study aimed to characterize nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the black fonio accessions collected in Northern Nigeria. The study was conducted in Bauchi state Northeast of Nigeria. In this study, 41 black fonio accessions were sowed using alpha lattice design. An analysis on nutritional, phytochemical and diversity among the accessions was carried out. The molecular diversity study of the accessions was carried out using 14 SSR markers. The data obtained in this study were analysed using R-programming for nutritional and phytochemical data and DARWin software for molecular data. The result showed mean proximate contents as follows; moisture (7.97%), Protein (9.343%), lipid (2.96%), fibre (2.16%), Ash (2.11%), Carbohydrate (77.53%), and energy (365.5134 kcal). Microelements detected in D. iburua include Potassium (1.9 mg/l), Zinc (0.55 mg/l), Phosphorous (8.62 mg/l), Sulfur (37.3%), Sodium (1.3 mg/l), Magnesium (0.15 mg/l), Iron (0.15 mg/l), Copper (0.17 mg/l), and Calcium (1.52 mg/l). In addition, phytochemical analysis indicates the present of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol and tannin in the selected solvents. Finally, D. iburua displayed three major clusters with genetic similarity at 0.68. In conclusion, the outcome of this study signified that black fonio accessions qualified to be good sources of functional diets for health as well as it could serve as future crops for solving the global food crisis and malnutrition in changing climate.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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