Bioactives and nutrients evaluation of the leaves and fruits of Solanum Melongena

Abstract

Leaves and fruits of garden egg (Solanum melongena) were analyzed for proximate analysis, mineral contents, vitamins, quantification  and determination of phytochemicals at the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology Laboratory, Federal University of  Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria in October, 2018. Results of proximate analysis showed: moisture content (81.6 and 87.3) %, ash  (0.86 and 0.52) %, fibre (3.2 and 1.3) %, protein (9.0 and 4.8) % fat, (1.4 and 0.7) % carbohydrate, (4.1 and 5.5) % for leaves and fruits  respectively. Minerals were higher in leaves (Mg 135.2, Ca 89.6, K 45.4, Zn 1.9) g than fruit samples (Mg 65.8, Ca 13.4, K 39.3, Zn 0.16) g. On  vitamins, leaves were also higher than the fruits (calcium (89.6, 13.4 mg/100) g, potassium (45.4, 39.3 mg/100) g, magnesium (135.2,  63.8 mg/100)g and zinc (1.9, 0.16 mg/100)g respectively. Both samples contained vitamins A and C with values of (4.95 mg/100, 1.15  mg/100) g and (13.03 mg/100, 5.52 mg/100) g for leaves and fruits respectively. The phytochemical composition results revealed the  presence of bioactive compounds that are higher in leaves than fruits, such as alkaloids (2.50 and 0.08) %, flavonoid (1.30 and 1.10) %, phenols (0.033 and 0.009) % and tannin (0.18 and 0.03) % respectively. This study reveals the usefulness of Solanum melongena leaves  and fruits for herbal and nutritional purposes, as they are rich in bioactive compounds, essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals,  making them suitable for treating high blood pressure, cancer, and other diseases.