Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Evaluation of the Nutritive Composition of Five Indigenous Tree Leaves Used as Vegetable in Ekiti State
Olujobi, O. J

Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional value of five indigenous tree leaves used as vegetable in Ekiti state (Lecaniodiscus cupanioides, Albizia glaberrima, Virtex doniana, Bombax buonopozense, and Sterculia tragacantha). Leaves used as vegetables are collected from open farm land within the University campus. Samples of the leaves were analyzed for proximate value (ash, moisture, fat, crude fibre, protein, carbohydrate and Energy value). Also anti-nutrient, minerals, vitamins and beta carotenes contents were analyzed. The result obtained from the study established that these components were present in a considerable amount in leaves investigated and that they varied significantly within and between the tree species. The result on proximate composition shows that Lecaniodiscus cupanioides has the highest value for fat (6.49 %), carbohydrate (42.83 %) and energy value content (1228.30 %). Albizia glaberrima has the highest value for protein content (25.31 %) while Virtex doniana has the highest value for ash content (13.52 %), moisture (28.29 %) and crude fibre (26.88 %). The result on anti-nutrient value revealed that Virtex doniana has the highest value in phytates (1.33 %), Lecaniodiscus cupanioides has the highest value in oxalates (19.41 %) while Virtex doniana and Albizia glaberrima has the highest value in Saponins (82.24 %) and tannnis (0.67%) respectively. Result on mineral composition shows that the sampled leaves contained considerable amount of mineral deposition. With Bombax buonopozense having K and Ca value of 1159.93 % and 420.87 % while Sterculia tragacantha contained 20.73 % and 80.37 % of Mg and Fe. with valiue of in their result. Also the result on vitamins shows that sample B (Albizia glaberrima) has the highest value in Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, D, E and beta carotenes with value of 1097.01%, 1.61%, 1.17%, 0.74%, 1.08%, 0.44% and 2744.66% with the result obtained from these vegetables, the result indicates that sample C (Virtex doniana) having the highest proportion of nutritive value while sample D (Bombax buonopozense) and sample E (Sterculia tragacantha) having the highest proportion of minerals while sample B (Albizia glaberrima) had the highest proportion of vitamins and beta carotenes content.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v4n1a23