Nutritional and antinutritional analysis of Sesamum radiatum leaves

Abstract

Sesamum radiatum leaves are widely consumed as food supplement and for ethno-medicinal purposes by the people of Plateau States and the neighboring states.  This study aimed at investigating the nutritional and anti-nutritional content of the plant’s leaves grown on the Plateau.  The proximate constituent of the air-dried leaves of the vegetable were determined using various methods; the anti-nutritional Factors such as phytic acid, oxalic acid, and tannin were also determined using different methods. The result showed that the sample had high level of protein (18.33 g/100 g of sample), Iron (30.778±17.16 ppm), and magnesium (153.684±127.38 ppm); with a considerable level (15.30%) of moisture. The levels of crude fibre (4.10 g/100 g), crude fat (1.30 g/100 g), where low with moderate ash contents (10.50 g/100 g). The concentrations of other minerals analyzed were low: Pb (0.1635±0.05), Mn (1.2935±0.61), Cu (0.172±0.09) and Zn (0.315±0.06) compared to previous studies. The presence of anti-Nutrient was in moderation: Oxalate (230 mg/100 g), Phytic acid (52.73 mg/100 g) and Tannins (3.87 mg/100 g). The result of the study showed that Sesamum radiatum leaves could be a good source of some important mineral and protein.