Mineral and Vitamin Composition of Some Lesser Known Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Seven leafy vegetables (Albizia zygia, Basella alba, Ficus glumosa, Hibiscus cannabinus, Pterocarpus santalinoides, Solanum nigrum and Vitex doniana) grown in the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria, were authenticated and evaluated for their vitamin and mineral contents using standard methods of analysis. The fresh leafy vegetables were collected from local farms around Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria. The results of mineral analysis revealed that at P<0.05, Basella alba had the highest potassium (146.03±1.14mg/100g) and phosphorus (36.83±0.09mg/100g) content, Hibiscus cannabinus had the highest content of magnesium (168.30±0.12mg/100g) while Ficus glumosa had a relatively high sodium content (16.43±0.12mg/100g). Vitex doniana had the highest content of calcium (67.47±0.12mg/100g). The heavy metals, cadmium, lead and mercury were not detected. Ficus glumosa had the highest content of Beta carotene (5.07±0.33mg/100g) and ascorbic acid (68.50±0.12mg/100g) while Vitex doniana had the highest content of vitamin E (6.23±0.06mg/100g). Solanum nigrum had the highest concentration of vitamin B2 (0.85±0.06mg/100g) and vitamin B6 (18.43±0.18mg/100g). The results suggest that the seven leafy vegetables contain appreciable amounts of minerals and vitamins, thus may be included in diets to supplement daily dietary allowances needed by the body, hence, improving nutritional status and curbing the problem of micronutrient deficiency.