Proximate and Anti-nutritional Properties of Two Lesser Utilized Leafy Vegetables (vitex doniana and zanthoxylum zanthoxyliodes)

The objective of the study was to ascertain the nutrient and anti-nutrient content
of zanthoxylum zanthoxyliodes, vitex donenia leaves. Standard laboratory analytical
method of AOAC procedure was used to determine the proximate composition
of the samples. Analysis was carried out in triplicate, including moisture,
protein, fat, ash, fibre and carbohydrate content of each sample. Data were
analyzed using means and t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Results show that
various nutrients were present in a considerable amount in leaves, this varied
significantly between the samples at (P<0.05) and (P>0.05). The result on
proximate composition shows that vitex doniana has the highest value for ash
(14.25%), fibre (23%), zanthoxylum zanthoxyliodes has the highest value for
moisture (37.7%), fat (3.4%), protein (6.99%) and carbohydrate (37.91%). The
result on anti- nutrient value revealed that vitex doniana has the highest value in
phytate (3.76m/100g) zanthoxylum zanthoxyliodes has the highest value of tannin
( 0.2335%), oxalate (0.4775%). The result showed that the vegetables contained an
appreciable amount of nutrients and low level of anti- nutrient and could be
included in diets to supplement our daily allowance needed by the body.