Abstract
The nutritional and chemical value of Amaranthus hybridus were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to assess the numerous potential of the plant leaves. The Proximate analysis showed the percentage moisture content, ash content, crude protein, crude lipid, crude fibre and carbohydrate of the leaves as 84.48, 13.80, 17.92, 4.62, 8.61 and 52.18%, respectively while its calorific value is 268.92 Kcal/100 g. Elemental analysis in mg/100 g (DW) indicated that the leaves contained sodium (7.43), potassium (54.20), calcium (44.15), Magnesium (231.22), Iron (13.58), Zinc (3.80) and phosphorus (34.91). The vitamin composition of the leaves in mg/100 g (DW) was β-carotene (3.29), thiamine (2.75), riboflavin (4.24), niacin (1.54), pyridoxine (2.33), ascorbic acids (25.40) and α-tocopherol (0.50). Seventeen amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalmine, tyrosine, threonine, valine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, proline and serine) were detected. The chemical composition in mg/100 g (DW) for alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, tannins, phenols, hydrocyanic acid and phytic acid were 3.54, 0.83, 1.68, 0.49, 0.35, 16.99 and 1.32, respectively. Comparing the nutrient and chemical constituents with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results reveal that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants. Key words: Amaranthus hybridus L. leaves, diet, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, phytochemicals.
Highlights
Most developing countries depend on starch-based foods as the main staple food for the supply of both energy and protein
Comparing the nutrient and chemical constituents with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results reveal that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants
Ash content, which is an index of mineral contents in biota, is low (13.8% DW) in A. hybridus leaf compared to the values reported in leaves of Talinum triangulare (20.05% DW) (Ifon and Bassir, 1980; Ladan et al, 1996), but compared favourably with the values reported for Ipomea batatas (11.10%), Vernonia colorate (15.86%) and Moringa oleifera (15.09% DW) (Lockett et al, 2000; Antia et al, 2006)
Summary
Most developing countries depend on starch-based foods as the main staple food for the supply of both energy and protein. This accounts in part for protein deficiency which prevails among the populace as recognized by Food and Agricultural Organization (Ladeji et al, 1995). Though several works reporting compositional evaluation and functional properties of various types of edible wild plants in use in the developing countries abound in literature, much still need to be done. Many workers (Lockeett et al, 2000; Akindahunsi and Salawu, 2005; Edeoga et al., 2006; Hassan and Umar, 2006; Ekop, 2007) have reported the compositional evaluation and functional properties of various types of edible wild plants in use in the developing countries
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