Nutritional composition of <i>Phragmanthera incana</i> (Schum) leaves selected from four host trees

Abstract

Phragmanthera incana (Schum) belonging to the family Loranthaceae, is a specie of mistletoe commonly found on trees in South-western part of Nigeria. They are hemi-parasitic plants that grow on trees which have been employed ethno-medicinally to treat several disease conditions. This study therefore evaluate the dietary and nutritional composition of the plant. Fresh leaves of P. incana from four host trees; Psidium guajava (guava), Cola acuminata (kolanut), Anacardium occidentale (cashew), and Mangifera indica (mango) trees were collected from its natural habitat. Proximate and mineral analysis were carried out according to recommended methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Triplicate readings of data obtained were presented as mean and standard deviation. The proximate analysis of the powdered samples of P. incana leaves showed that the samples contain varying amounts of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate and minerals The carbohydrates and protein contents obtained in the leaves falls within the recommendation values of Food and Nutrition Board of Institute of Medicines (IOM) at 45% to 65% of energy and 10% to 35% of energy respectively. Comparing the results obtained with permissible limits set by WHO for consumed medicinal herbs, it can be concluded that the essential metals and heavy metals present in P. incana from the four host trees were below permissible limits. P. incana leaves are rich sources of dietary elements essential for biochemical processes and body metabolism.