Comparative Study of the Proximate and Dietary Fibre Compositions of Some Leafy Vegetables Commonly Consumed in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Objective: The objective of this study was to carry out a comparative proximate and dietary fibre analysis of some leafy vegetables commonly consumed in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria.

Methodology: The selected vegetables were Ugu leaf (Telfairia occidentalis), Water leaf (Talinum triangulare), Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), Scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) and Green leaf (Spinacia oleracea). These leaves were harvested from the University school farms of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers State University and Delta State University to represent the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for proximate composition and dietary fibres using standard methods.

Results: Moisture, ash, fat, crude protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate contents of the leafy vegetables ranged from 70.95-92.11%, 1.90-5.18%, 0.07-1.47%, 1.54-8.78%, 1.90-7.89% and 1.42-10.54%, respectively. Total dietary and insoluble fibres of the vegetables grown in Niger Delta regions of Nigeria ranged from 4.10-23.12%. Dietary fibre of pumpkin leaves grown in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states as well as scent leaf from Rivers state were significantly (p<0.05) higher than vegetables from other states.

Conclusion: The result of this study therefore reveals that the proximate composition and dietary fibre content of the vegetables were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the locations in which they were harvested.