Development, Evaluation And Nutraceutical Properties Of Tisane Produced From Blends Of Zobo (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) Leaves, Moringa Oleifera Leaves, And Jacobina (Justica Carried) Leaves:- Avunanya, Godsgift C

ABSTRACT

 The increasing problem of antibiotic resistance has created demand for natural alternatives that are both safe and effective. This study developed and evaluated a tisane (herbal infusion) made from blends of Zobo leaves {Hibiscus sabdariffa), Moringa oleifera, and Justicia carnea, plants traditionally valued in Nigeria for their medicinal and nutritional benefits. Fresh leaves were picked, washed, dried and milled separately into powders. The powders were blended in varying proportions (70:20:10, 10:70:20, 20:10:70, 33.3:33.3:33.3:33.3) and packaged in air-tight Ziploc bags for analysis. The results of proximate composition showed that moisture content ranged from 2.26% to 3.74%, protein 3.27% to 6.33%, fat 2.21% to 3.92%, ash 4.08% to 5.73%, fibre 7.76% to 9.61% and carbohydrate 81.16% to 82.88%. The mineral content (mg/lOOg) ranged from 84.51 to 185.92, 27.78 to 154.03, 165.27 to 530.42, 389.42 to 876.59 for sodium, phosphorus, calcium and potassium content respectively. The vitamin C content ranged from 35.90 to 48.17 mg/lOOg. The phytochemical content (mg/lOOg) ranged from 2.34 to 3.86, 3.59 to 6.75, 5.17 to 10.25, 0.14 to 0.56, 1.1 to 17.0, 0.96 to 2.14 and 20.08 for tannin, phytate, oxalate, saponin, phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids, respectively. The antioxidant properties ranged from 5.06 to 61.83% for DPPH, 6.25 to 79.51 mgTE/lOOg forABTS and 8.67 to 66.88 mmolFe2+/100g for FRAP. Sensory evaluation scores ranged from 3.45 to 5.45 for colour/appearance, 3.00 to 6.35 for taste, 1.35 to 4.60 for flavour, 3.70 to 6.70 for texture/mouthfeel, 1.45 to 4.98 for general acceptability. The leaf blends produced nutrient dense, neither liked or disliked cost-effective tisane with high antioxidant properties liable to promote health, alternative to synthetic antibiotics and maybe a valuable addition to the nutraceutical market.