This research evaluated the proximate composition, nutrients and anti nutrients contents of Amaranthus viridis and Leptadenia hastata from Argungu, Gwandu, Yauri and Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. These plants are under-used at the time of food scarcity. Analysis conducted included; Moisture, crude ash and crude fibre, and the nutritive values such as crude protein, total lipid, Vitamin C and total carbohydrate. The best results showed A. viridis from Argungu recorded 18.00 ± 1.53%, 19.33 ± 0.33%, 0.017 ± 0.002% and 9.857 ± 0.123%, 3.333 ± 0.333%, 42.590 ±0.8587% and 50.13 ± 0.90% respectively. L. hastata from Argungu contained 25.33 ± 0.33 %, 5.33 ± 0.33%, 0.023 ± 0.006% and 7.450 ± 0.127%, 4.167 ± 0.167%, 47.710 ± 1.31% and 59.83 ± 0.25% respectively. The nutrient elements analysed such as Calcium (Ca), Chromium (Cr), Cupper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), Potassium (K), Selenium (Se), Sodium (Na) and Zink (Zn) in A. viridis and L. hastata from the four regions were higher when compared to their respective Recommended Dietary Allowance values. The anti-nutrients of A. viridis from Argungu recorded 508.320 ± 87.966, 6.667 ± 0.333, 2.807 ± 0.143, 66.560 ± 2.485 and 0.002 ± 0.000 for Tannins, Saponin, Phytate, Nitrate, and Oxalate respectively. While the L. hastata from Argungu recorded 463.360 ± 0.596, 5.667 ± 0.333, 3.373 ± 0.245, 51.203 ± 0.453 and 0.003 ± 0.0003 for Tannins, Saponin, Phytate, Nitrate, and Oxalate respectively. Though, both A. viridis and L. hastata shows tannins content, which represented the plants predominant antinutrients and others were in appreciable concentration. The results indicated that A. viridis and L. hastata leaves have the potential to be used as sources of nutrients in alleviating macro- and micro- nutrient deficiencies.
Key words: Amaranthus viridis, Leptadenia hastata, nutrients, anti nutrient, proximate
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