Proximate analysis, nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of a tropical fern,Nephrolepis furcansin Nigeria

Abstract

Biochemical and elemental compositions, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, some levels of toxicants and anti-nutritional substances of the leaflets of a tropic fern species, Nephrolepis furcans were investigated. This is to ascertain its nutrient and toxicity levels; potentiality of its incorporation into livestock feeds; for feeding domestic animals and cultivation for ornamental purposes. Proximate analysis showed the presence of 0.87% protein, 85% moisture, 0.24% fat, 2.10% ash, 3.26% crude fibre, 8.53% carbohydrate, 15 g / 100 g dry matter, 18.18 mg /100 g ascorbic acid and 0.11% vitamin A. Mineral elements present include chromium 12.00±0.0004 (mg/100 g), iron 2,620.25±0.0036 (mg/100 g), manganese 6.00±0.0002 (mg/100 g), cobalt 244.50±0.002 (mg/100 g), cadmium 59.00±0.0002 (mg/100 g), lead 62.50±0.0015 (mg/100 g), magnesium 1,426.50±0.0002 (mg/100 g), calcium 13,041.00± 0.0172 (mg/100 g), mercury 431.75±0.0003 (mg/100 g), nickel 1,070.25±0.0005 (mg/100 g), potassium 2,515.00± 0.0027 (mg/100 g), sodium 803.00±0.0007 (mg/100 g), selenium 920.75±0.021 (mg/100 g), arsenium 1923.50±0.0030 (mg/100 g). Copper and zinc were not detected. Toxic components were oxalate 0.216 mg / 100 g and hydrogen cyanide 0.040 mg/100 g. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannin, flavonoids, cardiac-glycoside, reducing sugar, carbohydrate, but saponin, alkaloids and phlobatannins were not detected. Anti-nutritional substances detected are lignin, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and hemicellulose. The toxic and anti-nutritional components are very low and are not likely to pose any serious health hazard to the ruminants eating this plant.