Proximate and Mineral Composition of Nigerian Leafy Vegetables

Abstract

Proximate analysis and mineral composition of some Nigerian leafy vegetables: bitter leaf (<em>Veronia amygdalina</em> L), India spinach (<em>Basella alba</em> L), bush buck (<em>Gongronema latifolium</em>), scent leaf (<em>Ocimium grastissimum</em>), Smooth amaranth (<em>Amaranthus hybridus</em>)<em>, </em>Roselle plant (<em>Hibiscus sabdariffa</em>) and fluted pumpkin (<em>Telfaria occidentali</em>) were carried out using standard analytical procedures. The moisture content of the samples ranged between 10.0-12.08 %, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat, ash contents and carbohydrate ranged between: 46.56 and 66.60, 4.02 and 12.08, 3.51 and 14.02, 5.02 and 15.55, 1.16 and 15.79 % dry matter (DM). Mineral element analysis showed that the leafy vegetables contained high levels of calcium (63.36-110.16), magnesium (27.51-288.65), sodium (15.01-88.00) and potassium (16.85-168.96) and low levels of copper (nd-3.14), nickel (2.32-18.16) and manganese (2.54-10.06) mg/100g respectively. The study showed that the leafy vegetables examined contained high levels of crude protein with low fat content and crude fibres

Evaluation nutritionnelle de la morelle Africaine au Cameroun

“…Les teneurs en protéines de la morelle des différents sites sont plus élevées que celles rapportées pour la plupart des légumes feuilles tels que Momordica balsamina (11.29%) et Moringa oleifera (20.72%) considérés comme importantes sources de protéines (Asaolu et al, 2012). En dehors du Sud-Ouest (30,39%) qui possède des teneurs en protéines inférieures à celles (37,5%) observées dans les légumes-feuilles consommés en côte d'Ivoire et au Nigeria (Onwordi et al, 2009 ;Ochoanin et al, 2012), la majorité des sites présente des légumes plus riches en protéines (42,22%) que ceux (41,66%) analysés par Ponka et al (2005) ou ceux étudiés au Bangladesh par Miah et al (2015).…”

An assessment of the impact of vehicular emission on proximate composition of roadside <i>Amaranthus hybridus</i> in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

“…And the range 4. 09 -4.68%, 2.94 -3.20%, 4.04 -4.44% and 6.75 -6.82% for ash content, fat content, crude fibre and crude protein were respectively lower than the 15.55%, 14.02%, 8.05% and 49.09% reported by Asaolu et al (2012) for some common Nigerian leafy vegetables. The range 29.41 -30.15% and 55.47 -55.76% for moisture content and carbohydrate respectively obtained for the Amaranthus hybridus used for this study were higher than the 10.0% and 3.36% reported by Asaolu et al (2012).…”

“…This shows that vehicular emissions did not have negative impact on the proximate composition of the road side Amaranthus hybridus in Zaria metropolis. The lower value of ash content, fat content, crude fibre and crude protein compared to Akubugwo et al (2007) and Asaolu (2012) could be attributed to other environmental factors like soil type among others. …”

Comparative Study on the Nutrient and Antinutrient Composition of the Seeds and Leaves of Uziza (Piper Guineense)

“…Uhegbu et al [17] reported protein content of 1.17% for G. latifolium and 5.57% for P. guineense leaves. Contrary findings were made by Asaolu et al [18] who reported a protein content of 62.71% for scent leaf. Ene-Obong [19 ] reported that diet is nutritionally satisfactory if it contains high calorie value and a sufficient amount of protein.…”

“…The moisture content of any food is an index of its water activity [ 20] and is used as a measure of stability and susceptibility to microbial contamination [21]. Similar results have been recorded by Ajayi et al [22] and Asaolu et al [18]. High amount of moisture in crops makes them vulnerable to microbial attack, hence, spoilage [23].…”