Studies on Morphological and Nutritional Characteristics of Amaranthus hybridus and Amarathus spinosus Utilize in Delta State

This study investigated and compared the morphological traits, mineral composition, proximate content, and phytochemical constituents of Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus spinosus cultivated in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Morphological characterization involved qualitative analysis of leaf attributes, revealing similarities in leaf colour and venation, but clear differences in leaf length, width, margin, shape, and laminar trichomes between the two species. Mineral profiling was conducted using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that A. hybridus contained higher levels of calcium (3.31±0.25 mg/g), magnesium (3.16±0.34 mg/g), sodium (20.18±0.66 mg/g), potassium (7.65±0.45 mg/g), phosphorus (1.08±0.10 mg/g), iron (14.22±0.40 mg/g), manganese (9.05±0.20 mg/g), zinc (18.10±0.74 mg/g), and copper (2.12±0.10 mg/g) than A. spinosus. Proximate analysis using standard AOAC methods indicated that A. hybridus was superior in moisture (80.22±0.10%), crude fibre (1.76±0.25%), ash (2.30±0.38%), fat (5.77±0.21%), and protein (4.17±0.70%), whereas A. spinosus had a higher carbohydrate content (10.79±0.46%). Phytochemical screening via spectrophotometric assays revealed greater concentrations of tannins (9.30±0.12 g/100g), saponins (4.92±0.34 g/100g), and flavonoids (53.31±0.40 g/100g) in A. hybridus, while A. spinosus showed higher amounts of alkaloids (48.92±0.13 g/100g), oxalates (3.03±0.91 g/100g), glycosides (8.60±0.53 g/100g), and phenolics (14.25±0.42 g/100g). The findings affirm both species as rich sources of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, supporting their dietary, medicinal, and industrial relevance.