ABSTRACT

Nutritional and chemical values of three underutilized indigenous leafy vegetables of Izzi

land in Ebonyi State of Nigeria; Zanthoxylum zanthoylo ides, Vitex doniafla and Adeflia

cissamplo ides, were investigated using standard analytical method in order to assess the

numerous potentials. Fresh leaves were shredded and sun dried before milling into

vegetable powder and then taken for analysis. Analysis was carried out on dry sample but

results was later converted to fresh basis. Their proximate (moisture, crude protein, fat,

crude fiber, ash and carbohydrate), mineral (Ca, P, Na, Mg, Zn, K, Fe and Cu), vitamin

(A, Bi, B2, B3, B6, B9, C and E) and phytochemical values (alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid,

tannin, oxalate, phytate and phenol) were determined. SPSS version 22 was employed as

the results of the proximate analysis showed their moisture contents to be 79.20, 79.20

and 58.3% for V donianci, A., cissamploides and Z. zanthoxyloides, respectively. Their

protein contents were 1.43, 2.03 and 9.83%, respectively, while their carbohydrate values

were 14.37, 12.83, and 27.22% respectively. Fat content were highest in A.

cissampeloides (0.92%), Z. zani'hoxyloides has the highest ash content (3.04%), while

crude fiber content was highest in Z. zanthoxyloides (5.83%). Macro and micro nutrients

of these vegetables showed high levels of Ca 39.20; 16.29 and 11.85 mg/100g for Z.

zanihoyloide, V. doniana and A. cissamploides, respectively. High values of Cu which

ranged from (18.23 - 14.29; 9.83mg/bOg) for Z. zanthoxyloides A., cissampeloides and

V doniana, respectively. Other minerals ranges as follows: Mg (5.20 - 23.6 1mg/bOg), P

(7.82 - 17.83mg/100g). Na (1.97 - 4.90mg/bOg), Zn (0.05 - 0.22 mg/100g) for A.

cissampeloides and Z. zanthoxyloides, respectively while V. doniana and A.

cissampeloides had K (6.94 - 16.20mg/lOOg) and Fe (0.86 - 1.67mg/bOg) respectively.

These leafy vegetables also contained appreciable levels of vitamin C (2.45 -

S.85mg/loog) and Pro Vitamin A (2.63 - 4.43ug/loog) for A. cissampeloides and Z.

zanihoxyloides, respectively. The result revealed that all the phytochemicals analyzed are

within consumable range as studies have shown that various food processes such as

boiling affect the level of phytochemieals in food. Alkaloids ranges from 0.38 -

l.30mg/loOg, Saponin ranged from 0.42 - 0.82mg/bOg, Phenol ranged from 0.03 -

O.11rng/lOOg for V. donicina and Z. zanthoxyloides, Oxalate ranged from 0.05 -

O.19mg/100g and Phytate ranged from 0.32 - 0.9lmg/lOOg for A. cissampeloides and Z.

zanihoxyloides, Flavonoid ranged from 0.57 - O.89mg/100g in V doniana and A.

cissampeloides and Tannin ranged from 0.33 - O.49mg/l 00g in A. cissampeloides and V doniana. In conclusion Vitex doniana, Adenia cissamplo ides and Zanthoxylum

zanthoxyloides ware rich in most of the phytochemicals analyzed. Zanthoxylum

zanthoxyloides had higher values in most of the nutrient: protein, fibre, ash vitamin C,

pro vitamin A and most B complex, these could be as a result of it low moisture content

compare to the other vegetables, while A. cissampeloides had higher values of iron and

vitamin B9 and V doniana had the highest value of vitamin B9. These vegetables will

supply a good amount of micronutrient as well prevent micronutrient deficiency if

consumed in sufficient quantity.