NUTRITIVE AND ANTI-NUTRITIVE EVALUATION OF CNIDOSCOLUS AURIFOLIA LEAVES
Journal Title: Annals. Food Science and Technology - Year 2016, Vol 17, Issue 2
Abstract
The consumption of leaves of edible plants as food by human beings is as old as mankind. This is especially true for many homes in Africa since edible vegetables have continued to remain the cheapest means of affording the human body with adequate nutrients needed for proper functioning. In this study, leaves of Cnidoscolus aurifolia were analyzed for their chemical, antinutrients, proximate and mineral element compositions using standard procedures. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes and tannins while anthraquinones, phlobatannins and glycosides were absent. Proximate analysis indicated high protein content (59.45 ± 0.07 %) with crude fibre and fat also present in appreciable quantities. Mineral elements determination (mg/100 g dry weight) showed the presence of calcium (96.30 ± 0.04), iron (34.10 ± 0.03), magnesium (63.50 ± 0.03), potassium (98.34 ± 0.02) and zinc (17.40 ± 0.01). Antinutrient analysis of the leaf extract of C. aurifolia indicated low levels of phytic acid and hydrocyanide well below the lethal doses. An unusually high oxalate level of 404.80 ± 0.11 mg/100 g (dry weight) was also obtained although still below toxic level. These results support the ethnomedicinal and nutritional uses of this plant and suggest that the consumption of leaves of C. aurifolia is not harmful nutritively.
Authors and Affiliations
Uwemedimo Udo
Keywords
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