Comparative Study Of The Phytochemical. Proximate, Minerals And Vitamin Contents In Iron Weed (Vernonia Gigantea), Balsam Pear( Momodica Charantia) And Golon Tula (Sida Garckeana);- Onyeasi, Chidi E.

ABSTRACT

 The objective of this study is to compare the phytochemical, mineral, proximate and vitamin content of Golon Tula (Sida garckeana) Iron weed (Vernonia gigantea) and Balsam pear (Momodica charantia). The results obtained showed that Sida garckeana contains higher level of tannin (1.25 ± 0.01 mg/100 g), flowed by Momodica charantia, (1.16 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) then Vernonia gigantea (1.09 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). The alkaloid content obtained in Vernonia gigantea is (1.91±0.01 mg/lOOg), (1.84 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) for Momodica charantia and (1.79 ± 0.01 mg/100 g). This study showed that the leaves ofMomodica charantia contains richer amount of calcium, phosphorus, Iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin C. Calcium content was found to be (121.06 ± 1.25 mg/100 g) for Momodica charantia , (115.38 ± 0.11 mg/100 g) for Vernonia gigantea and (94.72 ± 1.42 mg/100 g) for Sida garckeana. These plants have non negligible amount of Sodium: Sida garckeana contains higher level of sodium while Vernonia gigantea has the least amount of Sodium; Sida garckeana contains (108.67 ± 0.04 mg/100 g), (87.63 ± 0.03 mg/100 g) for Momodica charantia and (68.41 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) for Vernonia gigantea.