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Chemical composition of hippocratea welwitchi: a common indigenous spice consumed in South- Eastern Nigeria.
Abstract
Background: Hippocrateawelwitchiis an indigenous spice consumed in Nigeria. It is commonly used in preparing different types of soups.
Aim: This study evaluated the nutrient, antinutrient and photochemical composition of
Hippocrateawelwitchispiceconsumed in South- eastern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The spices were obtained from Relief market in Owerri municipal, Imo State and identified by a plant taxonomist. The samples were processed into spices and analysed chemically using standard methods. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis and result was presented with mean and standard deviation.
Result: The proximate composition showed that sample contained ash (1.98±0.007%), carbohydrates
(76.6±0.007%), crude fibre (2.97±0.007%), fat (0.99±0.014%), protein (3.55±0.014%) and moisture
(13.86±0.014%) respectively. The minerals present included: sodium (0.03±0.00 %), calcium (0.25±0.00%), potassium (0.42±0.00%), magnesium (0.32±0.00 mg/kg), manganese (45.50±0.00 mg/kg), zinc (5.50±0.00 mg/kg), iron (111±0.00 mg/kg) and copper (1.05±0.00 mg/kg) respectively. Vitamins were present in small quantities. The vitamin content included: vitamin C (0.1±0.00%), vitamin A (0.02±0.00%) and vitamin E (0.26±0.00%) respectively. The percentage quantities of phytochemicals and antinutrients present were 5.23±0.00, 3.96±0.00, 18.04±0.00, 19.11±0.00, 0.45±0.00, 0.26±0.00, 2.67±0.00 and 0.4±0.00 for phytic acid, saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, oxalic acid, tannin, phenol and cyanide.
Conclusion: The study has identified that Hippocrateawelwitchispice contained vital phytochemicals and nutrients which could contribute to the required nutrient intakes from our diets. Interestingly, the spice is low in sodium, making it healthy even for hypertensive patients.
