COMPARATIVE PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF SOME LEAFY VEGETABLES IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to compare the proximate composition of seven indigenous leafy vegetables (Ocimum gratissimum, Amaranthus cruentus, Vernonia amygdalina, Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentea, Corchorus olitoris and Talinum triangulare) procured from an open market in Benin city, Edo state. The vegetable samples, using standard laboratory procedures were analyzed for proximate values (moisture, ash, ether extract, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate content). Analysis of the proximate composition of the leafy vegetables examined, varied with each species. The result showed that Talinum triangulare has the highest value for moisture content (12.15%). Celosia argentea has the highest value for carbohydrate (51.44%). Vernonia amygdalina has the highest value for both ash (13.30 %) and crude fiber (11.22%). Ocimum gratissimum has the highest value for ether extract (9.30%) while Amaranthus cruentus has the highest for crude protein (30.75%). The study has shown that the leafy vegetables examined have high content of crude protein with low ether extract content and moisture content. The crude fiber and ash contents were of moderate values and the carbohydrate content was relatively high as shown in the result table.