Phytonutrients, Vitamin and Mineral Content of <i>Adansonia digitata</i> L. (Malvaceae) and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> L. (Moringaceae), Two Medicinal Plants Grown as Leafy Vegetables in Nutritious Gardens in Burkina Faso

This study determined the phytonutrients, vitamin and mineral content of Adansonia digitata and Moringa oleifera, two medicinal plants grown as leafy vegetables in nutrient gardens in Burkina Faso. Both plants have appreciable protein contents with values of 69.68 ± 6.22 mgE BSA/g and 138.27 ± 3.3 mgE BSA/g respectively for Adansonia digitata and Moringa oleifera. In addition to its best protein content, Moringa oleifera also has the highest lipid, β-carotene and vitamin C contents, with respective contents of 13.33%, 0.874 betac equivalent mg/g and 2.38 ± 0.01 ug/mg. In terms of mineral contents, Adansonia digitata stood out with the highest contents of Zinc (53.46 mg/kg), Potassium (4510.25 mg/kg), Iron (105.86 mg/kg) and Sodium (153.33 mg/kg). Moringa oleifera had the highest content of Magnesium (941.17 mg/kg). The results of this study showed the richness of these two plants in phytonutrients, vitamin and mineral elements, which is an advantage for introducing them into programs to combat malnutrition and associated deficiencies or to improve the health of populations.