ABSTRACT
Presently, the leaves
of Lasianthera africana (Beauv. P) are used by the libibios and Efiks (of
Akwa-Tbom and Cross-river states respectively) and the Igbos (of Abia and Imo
states) in Southern Nigeria mostly for culinary purposes in the making of soup
and traditionally for the treatment of various symptoms like pain, fever,
constipation, diseases conditions like ulcer, diabetes and malaria as well as
microbial infections. This study is simply an attempt to determine the
antinutritional factors (ANF) present in the stem cuttings of Lasinthera
africana P Beauv. The finding are not supportive of the continued use of the
stem cutting as chewing stick. Although there was no protease inhibitor
detected in the stem cuttings, the levels of Oxalate, phytate and Tannins are
not very good pointers towards the use of the stick for cleaning the teeth. The
situation is such that at this level, the inherent nutritional danger in the
continued use of the stem cuttings as chewing sticks by the natives of Abak in
Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria may not be easily quantifiable. Which are commonly
used as chewing sticks in the Abak area of Akwa Thom State by the natives. The
study plowed a high concentration of oxalates 213.6 mg/100g ± 0.21 which is a
basic and potent anti-nutritional factor that could lead to malnutrition in
that population in the long term consumption. There are also relatively
substantial amount of other nutritional factors like phytates (5.67 ± 2.00 mg/
bOg), Tannins (7.03 + 0.13 mg/i oOg) and also saponins (65.00 ± 0.23 mg/bOg) of
the sample.
ESSIEN, M (2021). A Preliminary Study Of The Antinutritional Factors (ANFS) In The Stem Cuttings Of Lasianthera Africana P Beauv. Commonly Used As Chewing Sticks In Abak, Akwa Ibom State. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Nov 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-preliminary-study-of-the-antinutritional-factors-anfs-in-the-stem-cuttings-of-lasianthera-africana-p-beauv-commonly-used-as-chewing-sticks-in-abak-akwa-ibom-state-7-2
MONDAY, ESSIEN. "A Preliminary Study Of The Antinutritional Factors (ANFS) In The Stem Cuttings Of Lasianthera Africana P Beauv. Commonly Used As Chewing Sticks In Abak, Akwa Ibom State" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 18 Nov. 2021, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-preliminary-study-of-the-antinutritional-factors-anfs-in-the-stem-cuttings-of-lasianthera-africana-p-beauv-commonly-used-as-chewing-sticks-in-abak-akwa-ibom-state-7-2. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
MONDAY, ESSIEN. "A Preliminary Study Of The Antinutritional Factors (ANFS) In The Stem Cuttings Of Lasianthera Africana P Beauv. Commonly Used As Chewing Sticks In Abak, Akwa Ibom State". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 18 Nov. 2021. Web. 24 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-preliminary-study-of-the-antinutritional-factors-anfs-in-the-stem-cuttings-of-lasianthera-africana-p-beauv-commonly-used-as-chewing-sticks-in-abak-akwa-ibom-state-7-2 >.
MONDAY, ESSIEN. "A Preliminary Study Of The Antinutritional Factors (ANFS) In The Stem Cuttings Of Lasianthera Africana P Beauv. Commonly Used As Chewing Sticks In Abak, Akwa Ibom State" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2021). Accessed 24 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-preliminary-study-of-the-antinutritional-factors-anfs-in-the-stem-cuttings-of-lasianthera-africana-p-beauv-commonly-used-as-chewing-sticks-in-abak-akwa-ibom-state-7-2