| Abstrakt: |
Different parts of Waltheria indica plant (leave, root and stem) were assessed for their proximate, mineral composition and antinutritional factors content. The result showed that there is significant difference (P<0.001) when the crude protein (18.68±0.06%), crude fat (2.90±0.02%), ash (7.39±0.02%), carbohydrates (89.99±0.02%) and gross energy (3.46±0.00 Kcal/g) of the leave, root and stem were compared against one another. The leave also recorded the highest quantity of all the minerals analyzed. The result of the mineral analysis showed that there is significant difference (P<0.001) when the P (0.33±0.00%), Fe (196.63±0.07mg/kg), Zn (46.37±0.0882 mg/kg), Cu (4.90±0.12 mg/kg) and Mn (24.93±0.20) content of the leaf, root and stem were compared against one another. The Se (0.07±0.01 mg/kg) content of the root showed significant difference (P<0.05) when compared to the stem. The antinutritional factor composition showed that there is significant difference (P<0.001) in the protease inhibitors (trypsin inhibitors (12.30±0.02 TIU/mg), haemaglutinin (37.81±0.05 HU/mg) and chymotrypsin inhibitors (18.64±0.03 CIU/mg)) when the values for the leave, root and stem were compared against one another. The saponin (0.46±0.00%), tannin (0.03±0.00%), anthraquinones (0.00±0.00%), phenolics (0.13±0.00%), glycosides (0.22±0.00%), phytates (0.18±0.00%) and oxalates (0.12±0.00%) content of the leaf showed significant (P<0.001) difference when compared to the root and stem only. The study concluded that the leave part of Waltheria indica plant is most nutritious and least in antinutritional factors. However, further work is necessary on the bioavailability of these nutrients, for optimum benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
