Evaluation of the Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Composition of Selected Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstracts: This study was carried out to evaluate the proximate, mineral, and anti-nutritional composition of selected leafy green vegetables consumed in Nigeria, namely, Amaranthus hybridus, Talinum triagulare, Telfairia occidentalis, Corchorus olitorius, Vernonia amygdalina and Basella alba. The vegetables were analyzed using standard methods. Results of the proximate composition of the vegetables show that the moisture content ranged from 75.29% to 81.03%, protein from 3.56% to 6.20%, crude fiber from 2.25% to 5.86%, crude fat from 1.76% to 4.84%, ash content from 2.54% to 3.83% and carbohydrate from 6.40% to 10.25%. The mineral content, namely, calcium ranged from 28.45mg/100g to 43.40mg/100g, magnesium from 188.56mg/100g to 340.10mg/100g, potassium from 52.25mg/100g to 274.10mg/100g, sodium from 22.48mg/100g to 52.25mg/100g, iron from14.22 mg/100g to36.23mg/100g and phosphorus from 16.70mg/100g to 38.40 mg/100g. For the anti-nutrient contents of the vegetables, phytate ranged from 0.45mg/100g to 6.55 mg/100g, tannin from 0.46 mg/100g to 0.81 mg/100g, saponin from 1.84 mg/100g to 2.76 mg/100g and oxalate from 0.53 mg/100g to 1.72 mg/100g. Results obtained from these work show that the analyzed vegetables contain reasonable amount of nutrients required for normal growth and development of the body. The anti-nutritional contents of the vegetables are low, hence they do not pose a threat. These vegetables are good and can contribute qualitatively to the nutritional need of the Nigerian population. Keywords: Leafy green vegetables, Proximate, Anti-nutrient, Phytochemical, Mineral and Vitamin. Title: Evaluation of the Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Composition of Selected Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Ekiti State, Nigeria Author: Obembe, Olusola Michael, Dada Comfort Ajeigbe, Adanikin, Bamidele Abiodun International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 13, Issue 2, April 2025 - June 2025 Page No: 32-40 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 19-April-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15257599 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/evaluation-of-the-nutritional-and-anti-nutritional-composition-of-selected-green-leafy-vegetables-consumed-in-ekiti-state-nigeria