Nutritive and Anti-Nutritive Properties of Boerhavia diffusa and Commelina nudiflora Leaves

Abstract

Aqueous leaf extracts of Boerhavia diffusa and Commelina nudiflora were evaluated for nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions. The results showed that both vegetables contained saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids. The proximate and vitamin compositions of B. diffusa and C. nudiflora included mainly moisture (82.22% and 88.63%), carbohydrate (10.56% and 5.67%), vitamin C (44.80 and 41.60mg/100g dry weight), vitamin B₃ (97.00 and 66.20mg/100g) and vitamin B₂ (22.00 and 8.70mg/100g) respectively. The mineral contents of the defatted leaf extracts were found to be Na (162.50 and 75.55mg/100g), Ca (174.09 and 240.00mg/100g) and Mg (8.68 and 6.63mg/100g) for B. diffusa and C. nudiflora respectively. Iodine was detected at 0.002mg/100g in B. diflusa leaf extract only. The proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions obtained suggest that the leaves, as cheap sources of vitamins C, B₃ and B₂, as well as other macro-and micro-nutrients, can be incorporated into human and animal diet to meet their recommended daily allowances. The content of flavonoids and vitamin C in the leaf extracts also suggests possible anti-oxidant effects of these leafy vegetables.