Mineral Composition of Some Under-Utilized Leafy Vegetables Consumed In Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Three different underutilized vegetables- Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass), Colocasia esculenta (Cocoyam leave), and Ipomea aquatic (water morning glory) were collected from Afikpo, Abakaliki, and Ohaozara locations of Ebonyi State and were analyzed for the presence of Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Co using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometery. The result revealed that on the average, K content of Pennisetum purpureum from Abakaliki has the highest (9764.80±135.80 mg/100g), while Cu content of Ipomoea aquatic from Afikpo location was the least (1.47±0.52 mg/100g). Co was not detected. The vegetables are exceptionally rich in the minerals when compared with the recommended dietary allowance (RDAs) values. Therefore, the rural dwellers located within these areas most especially can depend on the three vegetables for these essential minerals mentioned above.