Author(s)

Ngozi Uchechi Ukam¹, Mary Achi Mgbekem², Roseline Edide³, Ikemefuna Christopher Obizoba²

¹University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
²University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
³Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa, Nigeria.

This work on nutrient and phytochemical composition of five wild green leafy vegetables consumed in Erei-Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria was aimed at identifying and determining the nutrient, and phytochemical compositions of Amaranthus viridis (Ikorodotaseach), Aeschylus glabra (Ididieriri), Alphanostylis lepthanta (Emornegbandip), Calcasia saxatilis, (Igbongonokpa) and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Ajuokoh). Analysis of moisture, protein, fiber, ash, fat and carbohydrate, micronutrients and phytochemicals was done using standard methods, while vitamins were done using AOAC, (1995). The data generated were subjected to T-test, standard deviation, standard error of the mean. The result of the proximate analysis showed that Amaranthus viridis had the highest protein value (9.73%) and the lowest carbohydrate value (4.60%) respectively. Aeschylea glabra recorded the highest fat value [9.73%]. The micro nutrient result revealed that copper (CU) and phosphorous (Ph) values were low and that the value for the other micro-nutrient differed significantly with the exception of calcium (Ca) values which did not differed significantly (P < 0.0.05). The vitamins content of the vegetables differed significantly while Amaranthus viridis had the highest value of Vitamin C. The phytochemicals and anti-nutrient contents of the vegetables were moderately high but not higher than the safe levels. Hence they are recommended for consumption.

Green Leafy Vegetables, Anti-Nutrients

Uchechi Ukam, N. , Mgbekem, M. , Edide, R. and Christopher Obizoba, I. (2016) Nutrient and Phytochemical Composition of Five Wild Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Erie-Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 7, 817-823. doi: 10.4236/fns.2016.79082.