Proximate and mineral composition of the leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus.

Abstract

The analysis of proximate and mineral composition of the leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus were carried out using standard methods of food analysis. The results of proximate composition indicated that the leaves contained 82.53±1.60% moisture, 18.48±0.03% ash, 7.63±0.06% crude protein, 12.98±0.03% crude lipid and 27.54±0.27% available carbohydrate. The leaves also had high energy value of 225.58±1.25kcl/100g respectively. Mineral analysis showed that potassium (2107.50±0.12 mg/100g) and magnesium (75.85±0.02 mg/100mg) were the dominant elements. The leaves also contained appreciable concentration of Na (37.50±0.83 mg/100g), Ca (57.03±0.12 mg/100g), p (7.33±0.04 mg/100g), Cu (3.22±0.02 mg/100g), Fe (20.78±0.15 mg/100g), Mn (17.25±0.22 mg/100g and Zn (8.64±0.04 mg/100g. The present research revealed that the leaves of A. esculentus are rich sources of potassium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc as well as high energy. The leaves could thus be a veritable food sources.