Comparative Proximate, Mineral And Vitamin Content Of Two Varities Of Ipomea Batata ('Sweet Potato) Leaves:- Nwanunu Ezienyi C

ABSTRACT xii This study was based on comparing the proximate, mineral and vitamin components oftwo varieties ofIpomea batatas leaves: butter milk and mothers delight using standard and scientifically approved methods. The proximate result showed that mothers delight contained higher level of moisture(10.21± 0.004), fat (2.25± 0.03), fibre(3.84± 0.007) and carbohydrate(57.19±0.018) content while butter milk was found higher in protein(24.35± 0.004) and ash(6.65 ±0.004) and were all significantly different at values of(p<0.05). The higher ash content (6.65 ± 0004) in butter milkwas the reason while it was found higher in mineral content. The result showed that butter milk has higher iron (1.898 ± 0.003), phosphorus (0.367± 0.002), calcium (1.284± 0.004), magnesium (1.417 ± 0.003), potassium (1.284 ± 0.004), sodium (0.211± 0.008), zinc (3.645 ± 0.005), lead (0.940 ± 0.004) and cadmium (0.126 ± 0.004) while mothers delight was higher in copper (0.264 ± 0.004) and nickel (0.004± 0.003). Mothers delight also contained higher vitamins (E, A, D, C, Bi, B6, B7, B9, B12) content than butter milk which was found higher in vitamin (K, Carotenoid, B2 B3) with carotenoid highest in both (11.66mg ±0.004 and 10.57mg ± 0.004). However, its moderate calcium value could be used for the management of oesteomalacia and their high carbohydrate (56.77± and 57.19±) and protein (24.35± and 20.04±) content respectively provides major source of energy and responsible for breaking down offatty acids and preventing ketosis.