Kayode O Adebowale, Louis M Nwokocha and Wasiu B Agbaje
Keywords: Bombax costatum leaf, Cissus populnea leaf, nutritional composition, anti-nutrients, industrial gum
Abstract: The nutritional, anti-nutritional and mucilage contents of flour of leaves of two vegetables - Bombax costatum leaf (BCL) and Cissus populnea leaf (CPL) were investigated. Their protein (?19.0 g/100g in BCL and ?13.0 g/100g in CPL) and ash (?6.0 g/100g in BCL and ?11.0 g/100g in CPL) contents were significantly different at P < 0.05. Both leaves were rich in Ca (BCL, 102 ± 2.5 mg/100g; CPL, 113 ± 1.6 mg/100g) and P (BCL, 37.3 ± 2.0 mg/100g and CPL, 21.3 ± 0.2 mg/100g. The metal occurrence in both plant leaves followed the descending order - Ca>K>Mg>Fe>Na>Mn>Zn>Cu. The anti-nutrients (mg/100g) obtained in both plant leaves ranged between 0.07 (Tannin) to 26.3 (Oxalate); they were also very rich in mucilage (BCL, 46.5 g/100g; CPL, 29.8 g/100g). The leaves of both plants have high food values and are exploitable as industrial gums.
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