Antinutrient and Mineral Contents of Two Leafy Vegetables Processed by Different Drying Methods

Abstract

The effects of sun drying and oven drying on the mineral and antinutrient composition of the leaves of Pterocarpus santalinoides (Nturukpa) and Cnidoscolus chayamansa (Obarayim) were determined. Samples were collected from Ideato South and Owerri North Local Government Areas of Imo State, Nigeria. The samples were subjected to sun drying, oven drying at 70℃ and oven drying at 100℃. Standard methods of plant analyses were used and results obtained were subjected to statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The antinutrient contents (alkaloids, tannins, trypsin inhibitors and cyanogenic glycosides) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased with the exception of Saponins which increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing temperatures but highest in sun dried samples of both vegetables when compared to the fresh. On the other hand, Mineral contents (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium and Phosphorus) were significantly increased (p<0.05) with the exception of Iodine which showed significant (p<0.05) decrease while drying proceeded. Oven drying the leaves of P. santalinodes and C. chayamansa may be preferred since it is faster, more hygienic, and better preserves the nutrients.

Keywords: antinutrient, mineral, dry, vegetable, Pterocarpus, santalinoides, Cnidoscolus, chayamansa.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-24-02

Publication date: December 31^st 2021