Minerals, Vitamins and Amino Acids Compositions of Melanthera biflora

Abstract

The minerals, vitamins and Amino acids composition of Melanthera biflora leaves were investigated using standard methods. The result shows that out of the eleven vitamins detected; only vitamin C was found in moderately high amount (99.37 mg/100 g), while the rest were in insignificant amount. Ten minerals element were detected, including iron (14.63) copper (2.32). Cobalt (0.04) manganese (5.13), calcium (93.52) magnesium (126.17), potassium (71.39) sodium (32.37), phosphorus 36.50, selenium (0.006) all in mg/100 g. The leaves have essentials and non-essential amino acid of 47.5% and 45.94% respectively. It has all the essential amino acids except tryptophan. This result shows that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that could be included in diets to supplement our daily dietary allowance.