ABSTRACT

The nutrient composition of Pterocarpus santalinoid, moringa olefera, Asystasia gangetica, Pennisetum purpurum were investigated in the present research work. The vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll and Carotenoid content of these green leafy vegetables were investigated and the result obtained were as follows: On wet weight basis, the vitamin analysis showed that Vit C ranged from 11.48mg/bOg in A.gangetica to 28.7lmg/lOOg in Molefera. Vit B3 ranged from 0.04mg/lOOg inA.gangetica to 0.lsmg/lOOg in P.santa/inoid. Vit B2ranged from 0.05mg/lOOg in P.purpureum to 0.l4mg/lOOg in P.santalinoid. Vit B1ranged from 0.04mg/lOOg in A.gangetica to 0.13mg/bOg in P.purpureum. The vitamin content of the vegetables on wet weight basis is below the recommended daily allowance which range from 0.6mg/lOOg to 1 .2mg/i Og for Vitamin analysis. The mineral composition (on wet weight basis) ranged from 2.80mg/lOOg in A.gangetica to 14.80mg/lOOg in Moleifera for zinc. Calcium ranged from 7.25mg/lOOg in P.purpureum to 31.2lmg/lOOg in Moleifera. Magnesium ranged from 5.33mg/i OOg in P.purpureum to 58.70mg/lOOg in Moleifera. Iron ranged from 6.26mg/bOg in A.gangetica to 15.33mg/bOg in P.purpureum. The Zinc content of the vegetables was found to be within the range of the recommended daily allowance which is between 5mg/lOOg. to llmg/lOOg. The pigment composition (on wet weight basis) ranged from O.l2mg/g in Moleifera to 1.83mg/g in A.gangetica for chlorophyll. Carotenoid ranged from 54.2 lmg/g in P.purpureuin to 98.50mg/g in A.gangetica. On dry weight basis, Vit C ranged from 9.22mg/lOOg in A.gangetica to 15.38mg/100g in i\'Lolefc'rci. Vit B3ranged from 0.09mg/lOOg in A.gangetica to 0.27mg/lOOg in P.santalinoicl. Vit B2 ranged from 0.09mg/lOOg in P.purpureum to 0.23mg/lOOg in P.santalinoid. Vit B1ranged from 0.07mg/lOOg in A.gangetica to 0.22mg/lOOg in P.purpureum.the vitamins content of the vegetables were also observed to be below the recommended daily allowance. On dry weight basis, zinc ranged from 3.87mg/bOOg in A.gangetica to 12.53mg/lOOg in P.santalirioid. 10.78mg/lOOg in P.purpureum to 44.47mg/lOOg in Moleifera for calcium. Magnesium ranged from 8.30mg/iOOg in P.purpureurn to 68.70mg/lOOg in Moleifera. Iron ranged from 1O.21mg/lOOg inA.gangetica to18.87mg/lOOg in P.purpureurn. the iron and Zinc content of the vegetables were found to be within the range of the recommended daily allowance which has been found to be l0mg/lOOg to l8mg/lOOg and 5mg/lOOg to llmg/lOOg respectively. (On dry weight basis) chlorophyll ranged from O.99mg/g in P.purpureum to 2.l4mg/g in A.gangetica. Carotenoid ranged from 38.48mg/g in Moleifera to 156.70mg/g in A.gangetica