Nutritional composition of the leaves and stems of Ocimum Gratissimum.

Abstract

The leaves and stems of Ocimum gratissimum was analysed for its proximate and mineral composition. The proximate composition give the following results:82.60 ± 0.01% and 82.60 ± 0.11% moisture content for leaves and stems; 13.67 ± 0.13% and 13.67 ± 0.02% ash content for leaves and stems; 3.33 ± 0.07% and 1.65 ± 0.02% crude protein content for leaves and stems; 8.50 ± 0.04% and 3.00 ± 0.15% crude lipid content for leaves and stems and 9.52 ± 0.01% and 19.65 ± 0.03% crude fiber content for leaves and stems. Higher carbohydrates content in the leaves (64.98 ± 0.01%) and stems (62.03 ± 0.04%) give a corresponding increase in the energy value (343.08 ± 0.01 kcal/100g) for the leaves and (278.42 ± 0.11 kcal/100g) for the stems respectively. Potassium content was the highest among the mineral elements analysed with 1479.88 ± 0.01 mg//100g for the leaves and 2150.01 ± 0.11 mg//100g for the stems. Higher potassium content in the stems qualify it as a good source of this mineral elements for the hypertensive patient since potassium reduce the risk of been hypertensive. The leaves are good sources of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn when compared to their respective RDA.