ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the nutritional and phytochemical composition of Lasianthera africana and Gnetum africanum. Fresh leaves were collected from the plants of Lasianthera africana and Gnetuni africanum, the leaves were oven dried, milled and kept in air tight container which was later taken to the laboratory for analysis. The analysis was conducted at the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. Result obtained showed that Lasianthera africana contained higher moisture content (7.87%) than Gnetuni africanum (7.55%), but the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.064>0.05 statistical P value). Crude protein content (P = 0.000<0.05) and lipids content (P = 0.002 < 0.05) w'ere significantly higher in Lasianthera africana compared to Gnetuni africanum. Ash content (P = 0.002< 0.05) and crude fibre content (P = 0.001< 0.05) in Lasianthera africana were significantly lower relative to Gnetuni africanum. A significantly higher contents ofCarbohydrate (P = 0.000<0.05), Energy value (P = 0.0050.05), Calcium (P = 0.0000.05), and Potassium ( P = 0.0000.05) were observed in the leaves of Lasianthera africana them in Gnetuni africanum leaves. Zinc content was significantly lower in Lasianthera africana than Gnetuni ajricanuni (P= 0.0010.05).The phytochemical include alkaloid, tannin, saponin and flavonoid all in (mg/lOOg). Lasianthera africana leaves contained a significantly higher amount of calcium (P - 0.0000.05), Magnesium (P= 0.0000.05), and Potassium (P = 0.0000.05) than Gnetuni africanum leaves. But, Zinc content (P = 0.001 0.05) was significantly lower in Lasianthera africana (1.45mg/g) leaves than found in the leaves of Gnetum africanum (2.19mg/g). The vitamin Bi content in Lasianthera ajricana (0.55mg/g) w'as significantly higher (P = 0.0040.05) as found in Gnetum africanum (0.22mg/g).vitamin B2 content in Lasianthera africana (0.66mg/g) was significantly higher ( P = 0.0030.05 statistical p value) compared to Vitamin B2 content of Gnetuni africanum (0.28mg/g). Also Gnetum vitamin B3 content (0.58mg/g) was significantly higher (P = 0.0160.05 statistical p value) than that of Lasianthera africana (0.35mg/g). The vitamin C content in Lasianthera afi-icana (86.26mg/g) was significantly higher (P = 0.0000.05) than that of Gnetuni ajricanuni (61.83mg/g). The vitamin E content in Lasianthera afi-icana (21.62mg/g) was significantly higher (P = 0.0000.05) than that of Gnetum africanum (1.77mg/g). The study showed that L.africana leaves is richer in most ofthe nutrient analyzed. Also, it contain high range of phytochemicals which can be used in the development of dyes, drugs etc.