ABSTRACT

The nutritional composition of the seeds and leaves of uziza (Piper guineense) were investigated. The proximate analysis showed moisture content of 11.55% in uziza leaf and 9.12% in uziza seed. Ash content of 14.25% in uziza leaf is higher than 6.5 1% in uziza seed . Crude fibre content of uziza leaf showed 18.19% is high than in uziza seed 2.88%. Fat content showed uziza seed 3.16% is high than in uziza leaf 2.45%.Crude protein content of uziza leaf showed 11.32% is high than in uziza seed 7.82%. Carbohydrate content showed highest in uziza seed 70.51% than in uziza leaf 42.25%. The anti-nutrients determined (tannins, phytate, oxalate and saponins) were low. The tannin and phytate content were high in the leaves of Piper guineense (0.34 and 0.29 mg/100g) than in the seeds. The result of the mineral analysis shows that the minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Pb) were high in the leaves of Piper guineense than in the seeds, with the values (0.39, 3.13, 0.08, 0.06 mg/100g) respectively. From the amino acid profile determined, it was observed that glutamic acid was the highest in the leaves and seeds of uziza with the value (1OO.75ig and 113.50jsg/lOOg) respectively. Most of the essential and non essential amino acid were detected except tryptophan.