Nutritional Composition of some Common Species of Striga grass (S. gesnerioides, S. hermonthica and S. aciatica)

Abstract

This study explores the nutritional values of Striga grass, typically known as a parasitic plant. Simple proximate compositional analysis method was used to determine the macronutrients while atomic absorption spectrophotometry was employed to test for the mineral elements. The research findings reveals a moisture content of all the species within the range of 5.3 g/100g to 3.15 g/100g; ash content 22.6 g/100g to 4.8 g/kg in S. gesneriodes root and S. Asiatica stem respectively. Protein and lipid concentrations ranged from 14.36 g/100g to 9.1 g/100g, and then 2.2 g/100g to 0.34 g/100g respectively; NFE 69.2 g/100g and the lowest is 45.6 g/100g in S. asiatica stem and S. generoides root respectively. Highest concentration of potassium was 1715 mg/kg in the bulb of S. gesneroides and lowest of 426 g/kg in S. asiatica leaves, while that of Sodium is between 964 mg/kg and 78 mg/kg in S. hermontheca roots and S. asiatica leaves respectively. While S gesneroides roots and bulb have high nutrient composition, S. asiatica leaves contained the lowest values. Striga grass is rich in fiber, protein, and other micronutrients and therefore could be a better supplement for animal feed as well as beneficial for digestion, muscle development, and immunity.