HPLC analysis of fat-soluble vitamins in some vegetables and fruits in Lagos, Nigeria: an appraisal of psycho-physiology of wellness

Abstract

Background: Fat-soluble vitamins play a crucial role in maintaining the body healthy and psychophysiological functioning, from immune system, muscle and heart function, easy flow of blood as well as eye health. They are critical to health and wellness of humans.

Objective: The objective of the research is to use High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to quantify the amount of fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E and K) in some vegetable and fruit samples purchased from Mushin market in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: The vitamins were extracted with hexane and analyses were performed by HPLC using an analytical reversed phase C-8 column and coupled to a UV detector.

Results: The concentration of vitamin A ranges from 31.768 mg/kg in wild banana to 678.2024 mg/kg in fluted pumpkin leaf. The content of vitamin D ranged from 4.653 mg/kg in wild banana to 228.407 44 mg/kg in scent leaf. Vitamin E concentration is lowest in wild banana (4.411 mg/kg) and highest in scent leaf (1,657.710 mg/kg) while the concentration of vitamin K ranged from 6.691 mg/kg in wild banana to 14,087.313 mg/kg in fluted pumpkin leaf.

Conclusion: Hence, the green leafy vegetables and fruits tested may be considered as a dietary source of fat-soluble vitamins. The study concludes inter-alia that as a people in developing nations we tend to focus more on our physical health than our psycho-physiological health. And it is clear that our collective inadequate diet has consequences for our well being.