Proximate, mineral and vitamin C composition of vegetable Gbolo [<i>Crassocephalum rubens</i> (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and <i>C. crepidioides</i> (Benth.) S. Moore] in Benin

Abstract

Gbolo (Crassocephalum crepidioides and Crassocephalum rubens) is a traditional leafy vegetable highly consumed in southern and central Benin, as well as in some part of northern Benin. The nutritional potential of the two species of Gbolo were evaluated through their proximate composition, mineral and vitamin C profile using recommended AOAC method of analysis. The analysis revealed that the contents in raw protein, total lipids, ash and carbohydrates expressed in % of dry matter were 27.13±0.01%,3.45± 0.00%,19.02± 0.01%and 42.22 ± 0.04% for C. crepidioides; 26.43± 0.01%, 2.75± 0.01%, 19.76± 0.05% and 43.11±0.10 % for C. rubens respectively. The content of vitamin C for 100g of fresh leaf is of 9.17 mg for C. crepidioides and 3.60 mg for C. rubens. The moisture content (% of cool matter) and the total metabolizable energy (kcal/100 g of dried matter) were respectively 86.79± 0.04 %and 308.45 ± 0.28 for C. crepidioides and 87.95% ± 0.07 %and 302.91 ± 0.56 for C. rubens. The result of the mineral composition indicated that the sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) contents were higher in C. rubensthan in C. crepidioides. With regard to the obtained values, the Gbolo vegetable showed a satisfactory composition and a significant variability between the mineral salts in its two species and can be valorised for a balanced nutrition of populations. Efforts should be made for the promotion of its wide cultivation and consumption. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Benin, Crassocephalum, Gbolo, mineral composition, proximate composition, vitamin C.