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Pakistan Journal of Nutrition

Year: 2008 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 90-92
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Authors

C.O. Ujowundu

C.U. Igwe

V.H.A. Enemor

L.A. Nwaogu

O.E. Okafor

Keywords

Research Article

Nutritive and Anti-Nutritive Properties of Boerhavia diffusa and Commelina nudiflora Leaves

C.O. Ujowundu, C.U. Igwe, V.H.A. Enemor, L.A. Nwaogu and O.E. Okafor
Aqueous leaf extracts of Boerhavia diffusa and Commelina nudiflora were evaluated for nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions. The results showed that both vegetables contained saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids. The proximate and vitamin compositions of B. diffusa and C. nudiflora included mainly moisture (82.22% and 88.63%), carbohydrate (10.56% and 5.67%), vitamin C (44.80 and 41.60mg/100g dry weight), vitamin B3 (97.00 and 66.20mg/100g) and vitamin B2 (22.00 and 8.70mg/100g) respectively. The mineral contents of the defatted leaf extracts were found to be Na (162.50 and 75.55mg/100g), Ca (174.09 and 240.00mg/100g) and Mg (8.68 and 6.63mg/100g) for B. diffusa and C. nudiflora respectively. Iodine was detected at 0.002mg/100g in B. diflusa leaf extract only. The proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions obtained suggest that the leaves, as cheap sources of vitamins C, B3 and B2, as well as other macro-and micro-nutrients, can be incorporated into human and animal diet to meet their recommended daily allowances. The content of flavonoids and vitamin C in the leaf extracts also suggests possible anti-oxidant effects of these leafy vegetables.
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