Proximate and phytochemical compositions of some browse plant species of southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The proximate and phytochemical composition of some browse plant species were studied at the rainforests at Oban National Park and Umudike, Nigeria to determine their suitability as feeding material for wild and domestic animals. Questionnaire was served to 50 individuals who are either hunters or rear upto six goats or sheep within Umudike and Oban National Park enclave to know the plant species fed upon by wild animals and domestic animals. Two 10-hectare blocks were laid at Oban National Park and the rain forest at Umudike. Leaves of all the plant species eaten by vertebrate animals within the 10 hectare blocks were collected and identified to species level at the Forest Herbarium, Forestry Research Institute at Jericho, Ibadan, Nigeria. Out of 27 plant species eaten by animals, 17 plant species were selected at random for study of their leaves proximate, phytochemical and mineral composition. It was observed that moisture content ranged between 8.08 and 11.10 per cent. The dry matter ranged between 88.90 and 91.92 per cent. The percent crude protein was highest in Uvaria chamae (21.88%) and least in Andropogeon tectorum (10.50%). The crude fat ranged from 1.38 percent in Gmelina arborea to 10.26 in U. chamae. The crude fibre was highest in Ficus exasperata (38.04%) and least in U.chamae with 8.96 per cent. The percent ash ranged from 5.98 to 9.44. The carbohydrates ranged from 37.76 to 54.56 per cent while the energy ranged from 226.08 to 387.30. In all of the studied plant species, the percent alkaloid, saponine, flavanoid, tannin and steroid were often less than 10 per cent. However, the Hydrogen cynide ranged from 0.05 in Uvaria chamae to 0.93 in Aspilia africana. The percent Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Lead, Cadmium and Manganese were often less than 5.0 percent. Mercury was in trace amount. Based on the contents of the leaves, these plants: Allophylus africanus, Costus afer, Uvaria chamae, Myrianthus arboreus, Carpolobia lutea, Ficus exasperata and Hannoa klaineana having upto 10% per cent crude protein, 5.00 percent crude fat and high palatability should be used in the establishment of fodder bank. The use of leaves of Treculia africana as fodder should be discouraged as it contains little quantity of Cadmium and Chromium which could have cumulative adverse effects.

Production and evaluation of nutrient-dense complementary food from millet (Pennisetum glaucum), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and seedless breadfruit (Artocarpus altillis) leaf powder blends

“…The levels of zinc, calcium and iron of the breadfruit leaf powder were low. Few scientists, Badra (1993) and Dike (2009), also recorded low concentration of these minerals in Amaranthus caudatus (velvet flower), Celosia laxa (silver spinach or woolflower) among others. Table 10 also presents the vitamin composition of millet flour, pigeon pea flour and bread fruit leaf powder.…”

Analysis of the Impact of Insecurity on Youth Unemployment (1990-2020)

“…Security encompasses various dimensions, including the defense of territory through armed forces, ensuring state sovereignty with a democratic and patriotic government, protection by the military police and the people themselves, and safeguarding the populace not only against attacks from the outside but also from internal crises such as unemployment, hunger, starvation, and diseases. Dike (2010) & Omede (2011 further elaborate on this perspective, arguing that Nigeria's security should prioritize the people's welfare and development, considering them as the primary beneficiaries of all security-related initiatives undertaken by the state. According to Nwanegbo & Odigbo (2013), enhancing the capacity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be necessary to advance its interests and objectives in countering internal and external aggression, controlling crime, eliminating corruption, promoting genuine development and progress, and enhancing the welfare and quality of life for every citizen.…”

Costus afer: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Data in support of Its Medicinal Relevance

“…is involves the use of the plant parts such as leaf, stem, and the rhizome in preparation of food [7,18]. e proximate analysis of different parts of C. afer shows the presence of both macro-and micronutrients [26,27]. Both the leaves and stem are rich in macronutrients such as carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, ash, moisture, and a good source of fiber.…”