Abstract

NUTRACEUTICAL ASSESSMENT OF TWO NEGLECTED LEAF VEGETABLES (Glyphea brevis (SPRENG) MONACHINO AND Hibiscus rosa-sinensis LINN) IN PART OF AKWA IBOM STATE- NIGERIA

Inimfon A. Ibanga*, Joseph E. Okon, Ofeni A. Abbot and Mary A. Christopher

ABSTRACT

Nutraceutical assessment was determined for two neglected vegetables [Glyphea brevis (Spreng.) and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn.] collected from Ikoy Inyang Idung, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The leaves were analyzed for the phytochemical, nutrients, anti-nutrients, mineral and vitamin constituents using standard analytical methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds terpenes (6.37+0.00), cardiac glycosides (7.24+0.27), flavonoids (6.19+0.47), saponin (1.78 + 0.77) and tannin (1.02+ 0.52) in G. brevis while terpenes (6.03+0.47), cardiac glycosides (6.94+0.48), flavonoids (7.83+0.11), saponin (1.68+0.42), tannin (1.05+ 0.37) and alkaloids (7.26+0.06) in mg/100g were found in H. rosa-sinensis. Results showed that the plant leaves contained appreciable amounts of essential nutrients such as Crude Protein, Crude Lipid, Ash, Crude Fibre and CHO having the highest amount (51.00±0.45) for G. brevis and 47.60±0.02 for H. rosa-sinensis. Crude fibre was 20.9±0.02 and 19.90±0.91 for G. brevis and H. rosa-sinensis respectively. Low amounts of anti-nutrients phytate, saponin and tannins were present in the leaves. Mineral analysis showed highest values of Fe (10.78 + 0.02) and K (9.62+0.00) while Ca, P and Mg were moderate. The results also showed that the plant leaves contained the vitamins axephthol, thiamin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid in good amounts. The leafy vegetables (Glyphea brevis and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) possess vital phytochemicals and nutritional properties as well as essential mineral elements and vitamins. Therefore, these vegetables could be utilized not only for their high nutritional values as food but also as a potential medical plant.

Keywords: Glyphea brevis, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, phytochemicals, nutrients, antinutrients leaves, Malvaceae, Tiliaceae