Nutritive and Anti-nutritive Composition of Urena lobata Leaves Obtained from Pati-Shaba Kolo, Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The aim of this is to evaluate the nutritional qualities of Urena lobata leaves consumed in Pati Shaba-kolo, Niger State, Nigeria. The sample was analyzed using the methods recommended by the association of analytical chemists. The proximate parameters analyzed were ash content (9.12 ± 0.40), moisture content (7.39 ± 0.06), carbohydrate (47.64 ± 0.57), crude fibre (6.33 ± 0.03), crude protein (19.28 ± 0.41) and fat (10.33 ± 0.09) %. The leaf has a calorific value (360.65 kj/100g). The sample was found to have reasonable amount of mineral content particularly Potassium (1650.01 ± 1.53), Calcium (34.19 ± 0.46), Phosphorus (905 ± 1.97) and Magnesium (66.11 ± 0.19) mg/100g. The anti-nutrients (oxalates, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and cyanogenic glycosides) analysed showed that the values obtained are within the WHO permissible limit and they are safe for human consumption. Amino acids like histidine, leucine, aspartic acid, serine, valine, alanine, and tryptophan were all accounted for. Essential amino acid aspartic acid with a concentration of 8.25 g/100g protein was found to be the highest while non-essential amino acid tryptophan with a concentration of 1.01 g/100g protein was found to be the least