ABSTRACT

 The study examined the effects of storage on proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions of Editan (Lasianthera africana) as a leafy vegetable. The plant sample was obtained from a farm land in Mbierebe Obio village in Ibesikpo Asutah Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The harvested leaves were cleaned by ashing with clean water to remove dirts and other contaminants, then slicedlshred (size reduction) and sundried for 14 hours. The plant material was taken to the laboratory where it was stored at room temperature. The determination of proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions of the plant sample were carried out at two weeks interval for ten weeks. From the results obtained in the stored Editan (Lasicnthera africana), proximate composition values ranged from 12.06%- 9.96% (moisture content), 87.94%-90.04% (dry matter), 7.64%-7.82% (ash), 15.19%-i 4.17% (crude protein), 7.10%-5 .02% (ether extract), 3 .98%-4. 11% (crude fibre), 54.03%-S 8.92% (carbohydrate), 340.78kca1-33 7.54kca1 (energy value). The vitamin composition values in the stored Editan (LasianIhera africana) ranged from 272.4 iU/100g- 180.3 IU/lOOg (beta-carotene), 0.81 mg/lOOg-0.48mg/100g (thiamin), 0. 69mg/loOg-0.5 1 mg/100g (riboflavin), 0.34mg/i 0Og-0.2 1mg/i OOg (niacin), 18.24mg/bOg- 11 .07mg/bOg (ascorbic acid), 2.5mg/100g- 1 .78mg/I OOg (tocopherol). The mineral composition values in the spredEditan (Lasianthera africana) ranged from 34.34mg/bOog-23.20mg/loOg (calcium), 63.98mg/bOg51 .92mg/bOg (sodium), 61 .64mg/i 00g-48. 17mg/bOg (potassium), 4.62mg/bOg3.99mg/bOg (iron), 7.lmg/boog-4.9mg/loog (zinc). The micronutrient contents of the leaves also decreased with storage