Proximate, phytochemical and nutrient compositions of some fruits, seeds and leaves of some plant species at Umudike, Nigeria

摘要

Proximate, phytochemical and nutrient compositions of fruits/seeds and leaves of some plant species were studied at the University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. A total of 15 fruits/seeds and 16 leaves of some plant species were collected at the rainforest at Umudike, and the nearby forests to assess their suitability as food. The edible parts of each fruits/seeds of each plant species were collected in separately labeled and marked polythene bags. The proximate, phytochemical and nutrient compositions of each sample were analyzed. There were significant differences between the species in the percent carbohydrate, ash, protein, fat and fibre. All the fruits contained between 8.82 and 12.66 percent moisture, between 30.18 and 85.64 percentage carbohydrate. And between 0.40 and 38.40 percent fat. Fat was highly represented in the family of Annonaceae. Calcium, manganese, potassium, sodium, phosphorous, iron, zinc and lead were at low concentration of less than 2.0 percent. The leaves had higher percent protein, carbohydrate, moisture content and higher concentration of saponin than those of the fruits. Generally improved varieties should be provided to farmers by universities and Forestry Departments. It is recommended that farmers and industries should roast or boil these fruits/seeds and leaves to reduce the toxic elements in them. Such improved varieties of these plant species should be produced by universities and sold to farmers at reduced prices.