ANALYSIS OF NUTRIENT AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF SOME SELECTED VEGETABLES USED IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Analysis of the proximate composition of three leafy vegetables A. hybridus (Spinach), B. oleracea (Cabbage) and L. sativa (lettuce) was carried out in dry condition. The result shows Spinach has Moisture, Lipid, Ash, Protein, Fibre and Carbohydrate (6.50, 3.02, 16.50, 26.35, 15.40 and 32.23 respectively). Lettuce has Moisture, Lipid, Ash, Protein, Fibre and Carbohydrate (7.90, 5.32, 8.50, 25.25, 17.50 and 35.53 respectively). Bitter leaf has Moisture, Lipid, Ash, Protein, Fibre and Carbohydrate (9.80, 5.10, 10.50, 19.75, 8.00 and 46.85 respectively), Bitter leaf has the highest moisture and carbohydrate content, Lettuce has highest lipid and Fibre content while Spinach has highest protein and ash content. Spinach contains Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (57.58, 59.30, 27.74, 30.50 and 14.10 respectively). Lettuce has Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (10.44, 41.36, 42.35, 41.36 and 25.23 respectively). Bitter leaf Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (99.40, 124.70, 1.60, 2.10 and 0.54respectively), Bitter leaf has the highest Potassium and Sodium content, Lettuce has highest Calcium Phosphorus and Magnesium content. Spinach hasantioxidant Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E (0.1267, 2.2556 and 1.4538 respectively). Lettuce has Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E (0.1602, 3.6647 and 2.2462 respectively). Bitter leaf has Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E (1.2136, 2.7963 and 2.4077 respectively) Bitter leaf has the highest Vitamin A, Vitamin E content, Lettuce has highest Vitamin C content. For heavy metals, Spinach has Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) (ND, 0.040, 0.042, ND, 0.020 and ND respectively). Lettuce has Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) (0.016, 0.046, 0.034, ND, 0.012 and 0.059 respectively). Bitter leaf has Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) (ND, 0.036, 0.088, ND, 0.015 and ND respectively). The results indicate that the leaves of these vegetable contain appreciable amount of nutrients and therefore should be included in our meal for a balance diet.

ABSTRACT Analysis of the proximate composition of three leafy vegetables A. hybridus (Spinach), B. oleracea (Cabbage) and L. sativa (lettuce) was carried out in dry condition. The result shows Spinach has Moisture, Lipid, Ash, Protein, Fibre and Carbohydrate (6.50, 3.02, 16.50, 26.35, 15.40 and 32.23 respectively). Lettuce has Moisture, Lipid, Ash, Protein, Fibre and Carbohydrate (7.90, 5.32, 8.50, 25.25, 17.50 and 35.53 respectively). Bitter leaf has Moisture, Lipid, Ash, Protein, Fibre and Carbohydrate (9.80, 5.10, 10.50, 19.75, 8.00 and 46.85 respectively), Bitter leaf has the highest moisture and carbohydrate content, Lettuce has highest lipid and Fibre content while Spinach has highest protein and ash content. Spinach contains Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (57.58, 59.30, 27.74, 30.50 and 14.10 respectively). Lettuce has Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (10.44, 41.36, 42.35, 41.36 and 25.23 respectively). Bitter leaf Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (99.40, 124.70, 1.60, 2.10 and 0.54respectively), Bitter leaf has the highest Potassium and Sodium content, Lettuce has highest Calcium Phosphorus and Magnesium content. Spinach hasantioxidant Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E (0.1267, 2.2556 and 1.4538 respectively). Lettuce has Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E (0.1602, 3.6647 and 2.2462 respectively). Bitter leaf has Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E (1.2136, 2.7963 and 2.4077 respectively) Bitter leaf has the highest Vitamin A, Vitamin E content, Lettuce has highest Vitamin C content. For heavy metals, Spinach has Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) (ND, 0.040, 0.042, ND, 0.020 and ND respectively). Lettuce has Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) (0.016, 0.046, 0.034, ND, 0.012 and 0.059 respectively). Bitter leaf has Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) (ND, 0.036, 0.088, ND, 0.015 and ND respectively). The results indicate that the leaves of these vegetable contain appreciable amount of nutrients and therefore should be included in our meal for a balance diet.