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The leaves of Gnetum africanum were studied for their proximate (nutrient), mineral (elemental) and phytochemical constituents. All analyses were done using standard analytical procedures and the results obtained showed a moisture content, crude protein, ash content, crude fibre, crude lipids and carbohydrates of 10.9%, 20.12%, 6.70%, 7.10%, 2.79% and 52.39% respectively. The mineral (elemental) analysis showed the presence of sodium, magnessium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganesse, potassium and copper in that order of decreasing concentration while notably absent was chromium and lead in the examined leaves. The phytochemicals detected in the leaves using various selected solvents were alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and tannins with various concentrations while flavonoids, phenols and steroids were totally absent. From the results of the aforementioned analyses, it could be concluded that the leaves of Gnetum africanum contain some beneficial nutrients, mineral elements and secondary metabolites justifying the medicinal status and possible potency of the plant part.

Proximate and heavy metal analysis of five instant noodles samples was carried out using standard analytical methods. The proximate analysis showed the presence of moisture content (3.65% -7.80%), ash content (1.11% -5.50%), fat content (13.64% -18.69%), crude protein content (0.167% -0.202%), crude fibre content (1.00% -9.25%) and carbohydrate content (63.68% -79.72%). All essential elements (Fe and Zn) investigated in the noodle samples occurred within the threshold limit of WHO, (2003) standard (10.00 -50.00 mg/kg and 5.000 -22.000 mg/kg) while the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pd) in some samples occurred at levels relatively above the minimum tolerable limit of WHO, (2003). Hence, caution should be taken in the successive consumption of these noodles to avoid diseases associated with the over time accumulation of these heavy metals especially in samples where they appeared in relatively high amount.

The proximate, elemental and phytochemical compositions of the leaves of Pterocarpus soyauxii (Oha) were studied. The results obtained for the proximate composition showed the following: moisture content (17.2%), ash content (5.7%), crude fibre (17.2%), crude protein (29.5%), crude fat (4.15%) and carbohydrates (25.95%). The results of the mineral (elemental) analysis in mg/L showed the following to be present in the leaves: Ca (4.04), Cu (0.20), Zn (1.39), Mg (41.0), K (0.31), Mn (0.17), Na (32.0) and Fe (0.60) with Pb and Cr absent. The leaves also contained vitamin A (0.2044 mg/g) and vitamin C (0.4470 mg/g). The phytochemical analysis of different solvent extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and tannins. Flavonoids, phenols and steroids were absent. These findings showed that the leaves of Pterocarpus soyauxii are good sources of beneficial micronutrients, mineral elements and secondary metabolites which are required for healthy growth, justifying the use of the leaves for the popular "Oha" soup of the Igbos of South East Nigeria.

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