Nutritional status of non-conventional leafy vegetables, Ficus asperifolia and Ficus sycomorus

Abstract

Ficus asperifolia and Ficus sycomorus leaves were assessed to determine proximate nutrient content, mineral and amino acid composition and antinutritional factors. Results obtained for proximate composition showed protein content of 20.27 ± 0.17 and 17.24 ± 0.71% for F. asperifolia and F. sycomorus, respectively. Compared to some of Nigeria vegetables, these values are higher. Both the leaves of the plants have high percentage of crude fibre (28.68 ± 0.57 and 31.54 ± 0.11%). Moisture, ash, lipid and carbohydrate contents were within the range expected for dry leaf vegetable. The mineral content of the leaves showed that F. asperifolia had higher mineral content except for copper which is lower (1.45 ± 0.61 for F. asperifolia and 1.50 ± 0.51 for F. sycomorus). All the essential amino acids were found present in the leaves in varying proportions in the protein of both vegetables. The antinutrients analyzed include oxalate, tannin, saponin, phytate, alkaloids and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Results of the antinutrients (oxalate, tannin, saponin phytate, alkaloids and HCN) showed that they are below the extablished toxic levels. This study therefore, revealed that F. asperifolia and F. sycomorus can serve as good sources of nutrients and minerals where cultivated leaves are scarce or out of season.    Key words: Ficus asperifolia, Ficus sycomorus, amino acid, nutrient, mineral, antinutrient, vegetables.