Comparative Analysis of the Nutritional Commposition of Hukleberry (Solanum Scabrum) and Spinach (Amaranthus Hybridus)

This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the nutritional composition of spinach (Amaranthus hybridus) and huckleberry (Solanum scabrum). Spinach and huckleberry are two popular plant-based food sources known for their potential health benefits. The comparative analysis focus on evaluating and contrasting the levels of key nutrients present in spinach and huckleberry. Conducting proximate, phytochemical and mineral analysis on but leaves would help in understanding their nutritional profiles and comparing them can provide valuable insights into their respective nutritional values and potential health advantages. This research involves collecting fresh samples of spinach and huckleberry from the farms. The samples were processed and analysis was carried out. Some analytical techniques such as proximate analysis, spectrophotometry, and chromatography were employed in order to determine the nutritional composition. The results observed on the proximate analysis of the two leaf species revealed that Solanum scabrum contain 38.35 ± 1.05% Carbohydrate, 71.5 ± 1.70% Moisture content, 2.56 ± 0.32% Ash content, 15.65 ± 0.33% Protein, 6.40 ± 0.49% Fat and 8.66 ± 0.15% Crude fiber, while Amaranthus hybridus contain 50.01 ± 0.65% Carbohydrate, 30.92 ± 1.36% Moisture content, 9.40 ± 0.90% Ash, 8.56 ± 0.23% Protein, 4.25 ± 0.10 %Fat and 12.56 ± 0.23% Crude fiber. The results observed on the phytochemical analysis of the two leaf species revealed that Solanum scabrum contain 7.64 ± 0.09mg/100g alkaloids, 1.79 ± 0.03mg/100g tannins, 1.35 ± 0.04mg/100g saponins, and 4.36 ± 01mg/100g flavonoids while Amaranthus hybridus contain 6.9 ± 0.06mg/100g alkaloids, 0.96 ± 0.07mg/100g tannins, 1.50 ± 0.01mg/100g saponins and 2.35 ± 0.04mg/100g flavonoids. The results observed on the mineral analysis of the two leaf species revealed that Solanum scabrum contain 58.75 ± 0.1mg/100g Calcium, 2.10 ± 0.09mg/100g Zinc, 42.87 ± 0.55mg/100g Potassium and 13.30 ± 0.25mg/100g Iron while Amaranthus hybridus contain 43.95 ± 0.35mg/100g Calcium, 3.54 ± 0.06mg/100g Zinc, 52.32 ± 1.54mg/100g Potassium and 12.28 ± 0.16mg/100g Iron respectively. All these results indicate that the studied leafy vegetables if consume in sufficient amount would contribute greatly to the nutritional requirement for human health but in comparison Solanum scabrum is of more nutritious value than Amaranthus hybridus.