Proximate and anti-nutritional analyses of the leaves of <i>Synedrella nodifloora</i> Linn and <i>Ficus exasperate</i> Vahl.

Abstract

Background: Synedrella nodiflora Linn and Ficus exasperata Vahl are very common edible plants in Nigeria which possess lots of medicinal uses. However the nutritional and antinutritional importance of these plants is unknown. The aim of the study was to determine proximate and anti-nutritional components of Synedrella nodiflora Linn and Ficus exasperata leaves.

Methods: The Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and other standard techniques were used to analyse the nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of Synedrella nodiflora and Ficus exasperate leaves.

Results: The moisture content of the leaves of S. nodiflora and F. exasperata was found to be 17.25 and 19.3 g/100 g, crude protein 21.44 and 23.63 g/100 g, crude fiber 9.15 and 18.8 g/100 g, ash 13.2 and 12.00 g/100 g, fat 8.45 and 2.4 g/100 g, and carbohydrate 30.1 and 28.87 g/100 g, respectively. Antinutritional study of S. nodiflora and F. exasperata leaves revealed tannin levels of 7.29 and 8.33 g/100 g, oxalate levels of 0.75 and 0.8 g/100 g, phytate levels of 1.32 and 1.32 g/100g, and hydrocyanic acid levels of 0.67 and 0.68 g/100 g.

Conclusion: The two plants were found to contain significant amounts of nutrients that could be used to supplement daily nutrient requirements for humans and animals.