Effect of processing on the biochemical contents of Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) leaves

Abstract

The effect of processing on the biochemical contents of Acanthus montanus leaves was investigated. The moisture, crude protein, lipid, fiber, ash, and total carbohydrate contents of the raw vegetable were 59.15, 1.85, 2.32, 3.76, 2.04, and 34.65 g/100 g, respectively. The saponin, alkaloid, tannin, flavonoid, phenol, and anthocyanin contents of the raw vegetable were 5.35, 4.04, 1.10, 3.53, 2.87, and 1.27 g/100 g, respectively, while it contained 2.65 mg/100 g calcium, 1.14 mg/100 g magnesium, 7.66 mg/100 g potassium, 350.75 μg/g vitamin A, 50.87 mg/100 g vitamin C, and 0.25% titratable acidity. There were significant reductions (p < .05) in the protein, lipid, fiber, ash, saponin, alkaloid, tannin, phenol, anthocyanin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and titratable acidity of the boiled or boiled + sun‐dried A. montanus leaves; significant elevation of the moisture contents but significant reduction of the total carbohydrate contents of the boiled; and significant reduction of the moisture contents of the boiled + sun‐dried vegetable compared with the raw. There were significant increases (p < .05) in the total carbohydrate contents of the boiled + sun‐dried leaves; significant reductions (p < .05) in the moisture, saponin, alkaloid, and vitamins A and C contents of the sun‐dried vegetable; and no significant differences (p > .05) in the lipid, calcium, potassium, and ash, but significant increases (p < .05) in the protein, crude fiber, total carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, anthocyanin, magnesium, and titratable acidity of the sun‐dried vegetable when compared with the raw. Sun drying alone either retained or enhanced the release of some important bioactive compounds in A. montanus leaves. Furthermore, the reduced moisture content of the sun‐dried vegetable together with its increased titratable acidity will make the sun‐dried vegetable uninhabitable for microorganisms, thereby increasing its shelf life.

Assessment of Proximate, Phytochemical and Selected Mineral Content of Acanthus montanus Leaf

“…Acanthus montanus is boiled with other herbs and used as a post natal remedy, specifically for "colon cleansing and wellbeing". Igwe and Eleazu [12] investigated the effect of processing on the biochemical contents of raw, sun-dried and boiled samples of A. montanus leaf, it is therefore worthwhile to explore the properties of a room-temperature air-dried sample of this wonder plant.…”

Chemical Composition and mineral bioavailability of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach & Thonn.) Taub. Fruit Pulp Consumed as Spice in South-eastern Côte d‘Ivoire.

“…It is need for vision, healthy skin, mucous membranes, bones and tooth growth and immune system. The RDA of vitamin A is 400 to 600 µg/day for children and 750 to 1.000 µg/day for adults (Igwe and Eleazu, 2018). Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an important antioxidant vitamins that protect human tissue against free radical damage by giving up electrons to provide stability to oxidant compound such as reactive oxygen species.…”