PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND NUTRIENT ANALYSIS OF SIX SELECTED LEAF VEGETABLES OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The Proximate and nutrient composition of six selected underexplored leaf vegetables, Basella alba L., Crassocephalum crepidoides (Benth) S. Moore, C. biafrae (Oliv. and Heim) S. Moore, Lactuca taraxacifolia Shum ex Homemann, Solanum nigrum L. and Celosia trigyna were studied. The crude protein (CP), Nitrogen free extract (NFE) and Ether extract (EE) were highest in S.nigrum while the ash and crude fibre (CF) contents were highest in C. crepidoides and L. taraxacifolia respectively. The highest dry matter content was recorded in C. biafrae. The phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) contents were highest in C. crepidiodes while the nitrogen (N) and Iron (Fe) contents were highest in S. nigrum and C. biafrae respectively.