Determination of levels of some nutrients and anti nutrients in five selected vegetables in Niger Delta

Abstract

Research on the levels of some nutrients and anti nutrients of five selected vegetables was carried out in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. The assessed vegetables were Bitter leaf, Okra, Sweet potato, Soybean and Spinach. It was observed that spinach had the highest level of moisture, Sodium and Phosphorus (90.55%, 82.55mg and 18.6mg respectively). Bitter leaf recorded the highest level of fiber (3.72%), soybean had the highest level of protein, carbohydrate and calcium (8.35%, 20.45% and 480mg), respectively. Okra was high in potassium and phosphorus (57.2mg 42.6mg) while sweet potato recorded high values for calcium (86.15mg), potassium (49.30) and sodium (56.30mg). The result also indicated that these vegetables have appreciable amount of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and low level of toxicants.

Keywords: Nutrients, levels, anti nutrient, vegetables