The proximate and mineral composition of the leaves and stems of Balanites aegyptiaca.

Abstract

The leaves and stem of Balanites aegyptiaca were analyzed for the proximate and mineral contents using standard methods of food analysis. The results revealed that the plants leaves and stems contained moisture (14.20 ± 0.06%; 11.23 ± 0.02%), ash (12.02 ± 0.04%; 10.01 ± 0.01), crude protein (11.60 ± 0.02%; 10.31 ± 0.03%), crude lipid (7.56 ± 0.03%, 9.23 ± 0.03%), crude fibre (13.60 ± 0.12%; 12.10 ± 0.03%) and available carbohydrate (55.22 ± 0.03%; 58.35 ± 0.12%) respectively. High energy values of 312.12 ± 0.56 Kcal/100g for the leaves and 337.09 ± 0.15 Kcal/100g for the stems were recorded. Their respective mineral contents were found to be: K(1164.8 ± 0.02; 1032.40 ± 0.01mg/100g), Na (805.60 ± 0.01; 196.80 ± 0.02 mg/100g), Ca(416.40 ± 0.12; 26.12 ± 0.01 mg/100g), P(850.37 ± 0.01; 7.06 ± 0.03 mg/100g), Mg(23.6 ± 0.14; 13.6 ± 0.11 mg/100g), Cu(1.20 ± 0.01; 5.2 ± 0.12 mg/100g), Fe(32.14 ± 0.04; 24.4 ± 0.01 mg/100g), Mn(15.35 ± 0.02 mg/100g; 11.12 ± 0.13 mg/100g) and Zn (20.23 ± 0.15; 6.4 ± 0.03 mg/100g) respectively for the leaves and stems. When compared with their respective recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and nutrient density (ND), the plant leaves and stems were good sources of K, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn while the leaves were a rich source of Ca.