An Assessment of the Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of the Pulverized Root of Cissus Quadrangularis
Abstract
The phytochemical and nutrient composition of the pulverized dried root of Cissus quadrangularis (an edible Nigerian vegetable) were determined. Phytochemical tests on the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides with the absence of cyanogenic glycosides. Proximate analysis showed II 0.01% moisture content, 3.33 0.58% fat, 7.50 0.17% crude protein, 68.89 1.16% carbohydrate, 3.33 0.10% ash, 5.97 0.1% fibre, and 335.50 3.43 kcal/100g energy content.The root powder also constituted a rich source of mineral elements (mg/100g dry matter): Potassium 67.5, calcium 39.5, zinc 3.0, sodium 22.5, Iron 7.5, lead 3.5, cadmium 0.25, copper 0.5, magnesium 1.15, chromium 0, cobalt 0. Analysis of the toxicants also revealed that the oxalate, tannin, phytate, saponin contents were 135, 0.3, 20, 0.16 mg/100g dry matter, while hydrocyanic acid was not detected. The results are discussed in terms of the nutritive value as well as the public health implication of having this vegetable as part of the diet.
Key words: Cissus quadrangularis, nutritional evaluation.
Bio-Research Vol.1(1) 2003: 63-68
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