Effect of seasonal shift on the proximate nutritional composition of some plant materials from the aquaponics farming

This study intends to evaluate the variations of the proximate nutritional makers of some plant samples [red chili (RCH) fruit, red tomato (RTO) fruit, green spinach (GSP) leaf, and green lettuce (GLE) leaf] from aquaponics farming in relation to seasons. The research was carried out for the duration of four (4) periods (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). The proximate nutritional parameters determined were total moisture (TMO), crude ash (CAS), crude fibre (CFI), total carbohydrate (TCA), and soluble protein (SPR). The CAS, CFI, TCA, and SPR levels of the RCH, RTO, GSP, and GLE plant materials are significantly (P<0.05) difference among seasons. The CAS, CFI, TCA, and SPR amounts of each experimental plant materials increases significantly (P<0.05) in the summer in comparison to winter, spring, and autumn. However, the TMO content of above plant samples was detected to increase significantly (P<0.05) in the winter season. The findings of this research indicated that shifts in the seasonal factors such as temperature, solar intensity, and daylight length have revealed differences in the proximate nutritional indices of the study plant materials from aquaponics farming