Chemical composition of some lesser-known wild fruits and vegetables consumed in ayamelum local government area of anambra state

Project Abstract

<p> The study identified some edible fresh wild green leafy vegetables and fruits and determined<br>their nutrients, antinutrients and food toxicants content. The proximate, micronutrients,<br>antinutrients and food toxicants contents of these fruits (Olax viridis (“Osenga”),<br>Gongronema species (“Aado”), Ficus carpensis (“Akankolo”), Napoleona/imperialis<br>(“Ukpodikili”), Afromonum species) (“Okwocha”) and vegetables Vitex doniana (“Uchkulu”)<br>and Ficus carpensis) were determined using standard methods. The moisture content of the<br>fruits ranged from 59.83 to 75.40% in Olax viridis (“Osenga”) and Gongronema species,<br>(“Aado”) respectively. Olax viridis (“Osenga”) fruits had high levels of protein (6.52%),ash<br>(12.52%),and fibre (13.58%).Fiscus crapensis (“Akankolo”) fruit contained appreciable<br>quantities of ascorbate (36.mg).Gongronema species fruit is rich in iron (23.50mg),<br>phosphorus (44.66mg), copper (14.06mg) and zinc(12.43mg). The fruits equally contained<br>high levels of phytate (12.60-108mg) in Gongronema species (“Aado”) and Olax viridis<br>(“Osenga”).<br>Afromonum species (“Okwocha”) had high oxalate (127.22mg). Tannins and<br>saponins levels of the fruits were low (0.05-0.12mg and 0.02-0.30mg), respectively. Ficus<br>carpensis (“Akankolo”) leaf had high moisture (60.44%) and low protein (2.18%), fat<br>(3.42%), ash (10.5%),fibre(8.91%) .Vitex doniana (“Uchakulu”) had less than 50%<br>carbohydrate (35.74%) and high fibre(11.45%). Vitex doniana (“Uchakulu”) leaf contained<br>appreciable amounts of β-carotene (67.83mg), and Fiscus carpensis (“Akankolo”) leaf had<br>lower B-carotene (27.94mg) relative to that of Vitex doniana (“uchakulu”) .07.83mg. The<br>ascorbate level (67.83mg) was high in Vitex doniana. Vitex doniana leaf had appreciable<br>quantities of phosphorus (28.63mg) and high oxalate level (128.56mg). Saponins (0.02mg)<br>and tannins (0.12mg) were low in the two vegetables. The edible lesser-known wild fruits and<br>vegetables can contribute much more nutrients especially micro nutrients to the diet of<br>families in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State. The antinutrients phytate,<br>oxalate, tannin and saponin levels of the fruits and vegetables were at safe levels. Increased<br>consumption of these foods is advocated. <br></p>

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