Nutritional Content of Some Lesser-Known Vegetables (P. crispum, B. pilosa, L. taraxacifolia and V. doniana) In Jos, Plateau State

The study identified and determined the nutritional content of four lesser-known vegetables in plateau state. The vegetables used were obtained from communities in Jos North and South Local Government Areas of plateau State and were identified at the botany department herbarium of the University of Jos as follows: Petroselinum crispum (Flat leaf parsley), Bidens pilosa (Beggerticks or cobbler peg), Launacea taraxacifolia (Wild lettuce) and Vitex doniana (Black plum). The leaves were sorted, cleaned and processed into powdered samples and extracts were derived using aqueous extraction. Generally, the moisture contents of the leaf extracts were more than 15% of WHO/FAO (2007) standard for high moisture content in food products meaning that they would not store well without spoilage. The crude protein content of the leaf extracts ranged from 25.97-51.34 (dry weight basis), with V. doniana having the highest content and L. taraxacifolia having the least. The protein values in the leaf extracts were high as they contained more than 5% of the standard reference for high protein foods depicted by Codex Alimentarius Commission (2009). The high crude fat values (5.19-2.87) of the leaf extracts in the present study means that they may not be recommended as part of weight reducing therapy for those suffering from obesity. B.pilosa had the highest vitamin C and E content of 19.95 and 123.07mg/100g respectively. It (B.pilosa) also had the highest Beta carotene content of 2713.08mg/100g. Generally, the vitamin result showed that the extracts are good sources of beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. These are known as antioxidant vitamins. Thus, the high amounts of antioxidant vitamins in the diet could result to improved immune system and reduced oxidative stress. Results of the mineral analysis indicated that the iron contents of the leaf extracts were high. They ranged from 43.5-15.5mg/100g in B. pilosa and V. doniana respectively. B. Pilosa also had the highest Zinc content of 48.05mg/100g while V. doniana had the lowest value of 335mg/100g. The results showed that V. doniana had lower values for protein, fat, vitamins and phytochemicals but had high values for cadmium and antinutrients. Though the toxican and antinutrient contents of the vegetables were high, they are within safe recommended levels.