




































 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL STUDIES 6(1) (2022), 1- 7  

 

1 

 

      AGRICULTURAL STUDIES 

                                                               AIJAS  VOL 6 NO 1 (2022) P-ISSN 2641-4155   E-ISSN 2641-418X 
                                                  

                                                                                                                        Available online at www.acseusa.org      

                                                                                                                                     Journal homepage: https://www.acseusa.org/journal/index.php/aijas 

                                                                                                                                         Published by American Center of Science and Education, USA 

COMPARATIVE NUTRITIONAL STUDY OF FOUR MOST CONSUMED 

VEGETABLES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA     

 

 Josephine Udunma Agogbua  (a)   Kalu Okonwu (b)1  Daniel Akaninyene Archibong (c)  Festus Austine Ikpowosa  (d)   
 

(a) Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; E-mail: josephine.agogbua@uniport.edu.ng 
(b) Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; E-mail: kalu.okonwu@uniport.edu.ng 
(c) Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; E-mail: danielarchibong642@gmail.com 
 (d) Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; E-mail: austinefestus4@gmail.com 

 

 
A R T I C L E I N F O 

 
 

Article History: 
 

Received: 25 March 2022 

Accepted: 2 June 2022 
      Online Publication: 7 June 2022 

 
Keywords: 

Comparative, Consumption 

Nutrition, Vegetable 

 
      JEL Classification Codes:  

       

      O13 
 

 

 

 

 

 
A B S T R A C T 

 
The study compared nutritional content of four most consumed vegetables [Gnetum africanum Welw, 

Hensia crinita (Afzel) G.Taylor, Lasianthera africana P.Beauv and Pterocarpus mildbraedii Harms] in 

Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Standard procedures were followed in these assessments: Proximate 
composition (carbohydrate, protein, fibre, lipid, ash and moisture), Mineral elements (magnesium – Mg, 

calcium – Ca, iron – Fe, potassium – K and sodium – Na), vitamin C and chlorophyll (a and b). The 

study showed varied proximate composition, mineral elements, vitamin C and chlorophyll contents 

across the vegetables assessed. For proximate composition, the following ranges were recorded: 2.78 – 

8.99%, 9.63 – 14.00%, 5.43 – 12.15%, 0.001 – 0.013%, 1.91 – 3.14% and 63.38 – 78.01% for 

carbohydrate, protein, fibre, lipid, ash and moisture contents, respectively. Among the vegetables, G. 

africanum recorded the highest value for carbohydrate, fibre, lipid, Fe, vitamin C and chlorophyll b. 
However, recorded the least value for moisture, ash, Mg and K contents. Secondly, L. africana had 

highest value for moisture, Ca, K, and Na contents and least value for protein, fibre, lipid, vitamin C, 

chlorophyll a and b contents. The K content in L. africana was statistically different at p≤0.05 with other 

vegetables. The study recommends the consumption of these nutritious vegetables based on dietary 

requirement of individuals. 

 

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee ACSE, USA. This article is an open access article distributed under 
the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).                                                                                   

 

INTRODUCTION 

Vegetables are the edible parts of herbaceous plants that are consumed wholly or in parts, raw or processed, as portion of 

main dish or salad. They may be bitter, sweet, or tasteless (Dhellot et al., 2006). They are identified to be vital sources of 

protective foods (Sheela et al., 2004). Fresh vegetables are tender plant parts cultivated in gardens and eaten as a side dish 

or soup with starchy staples among the communities in Nigeria (Nnamani et al., 2009). The leafy vegetables are largely rich 

in fibre, whereas cereals, root vegetables and other foods are comparatively poor sources of nutrients and this accounts for 

the role of leafy vegetables as major dietary components in African population (Akindahusi & Salawu, 2005; Fasuyi, 2006). 

Nigeria is home to many vegetable species that are used as flavor in human foods or as additional feeds to livestock (Taiwo 

et al., 2007). Vegetables have also been described to be good sources of nutrients such as carotene, protein, vitamins, 

calcium, iron, ascorbic acid and tangible concentration of trace minerals (Adenipekun & Oyetunji, 2010). 

According to George (2003), the potassium content of leaf vegetable plays an important role in the management 

of diuretic and hypertensive difficulties. He also reported the available proteins in vegetables are greater than those in fruits 

but lower than those in grains. Vegetable fats and oils are known to lower blood lipids thereby reducing the occurrences of 

diseases with the damage of the coronary artery (Adenipekun & Oyetunji, 2010). Leafy vegetables are extremely useful in 

the preservation of good health conditions and prevention of diseases. They serve as valuable sources of food components 

that can be used to build-up and improve the body positively (Hanif et al., 2006). They are also sources of essential and 

trace elements which play essential part in the normal functioning of the body system, maintaining regular metabolic 

processes and repair of worn out cells and tissues in man (Bruijnzeel et al., 2010).  For years, there has been increasing 

                                                      
1Corresponding author: ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4140-5250 

© 2022 by the authors. Hosting by ACSE. Peer review under responsibility of American Center of Science and Education, USA.  

https://doi.org/10.46545/aijas.v6i1.252 

 
To cite this article: Agogbua , J. U. ., Okonwu , K. ., Archibong , D. A. ., & Ikpowosa , F. A. . (2022). COMPARATIVE NUTRITIONAL STUDY OF 

FOUR MOST CONSUMED VEGETABLES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA . American International Journal of Agricultural Studies, 6(1), 1–7. 

https://doi.org/10.46545/aijas.v6i1.252 

https://doi.org/10.46545/aijas.v6i1.252
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6317-1227
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4140-5250
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0407-1335
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2826-8629


Agogbua et al., American International Journal of Agricultural Studies 6(1) (2022), 1-7 

  

2 
 

demand for fresh vegetables mainly for their convenience as ready-to-eat products in addition to health benefits associated 

with their consumption (Odedeji & Rasheed, 2007; Ajayi et al., 2018). In Nigeria, and in most other tropical African 

countries, where the daily meals are mostly carbohydrate foods, vegetables are the inexpensive and most readily available 

source of vital nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acid (Akubugwo et al., 2007). In many 

Nigerian’s diet, leafy vegetables are crucial components besides spicing-up meals. (Sobukola et al., 2007), they are 

important sources of nutrients particularly in rural areas where they add substantially to protein, minerals, vitamins, fibres 

and other nutrients which are usually in short supply in daily diets (Mohammed & Sharif, 2011). The numerous vitamins 

present in vegetables provide health-promoting effects for its consumers (Fayemi, 2000). The levels of these vitamins in the 

leaves however vary from one plant to another and one location to another.  

In Africa, two different species of Gnetum (Gnetum africanum and Gnetum buchholzianum) belonging to the 

family Gnetaceae are found and distributed in the tropical rainforests from Nigeria through Cameroon, the Central African 

Republic, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola (Lowe, 1984). Gnetum africanum Welw, also known as 

wild spinach and commonly known as “Afang” by the Efik people of Nigeria, is dioecious (Letouzey, 1986). Also, Heinsia 

crinita (Afzel.) G. Taylor, known as ‘Bush apple’ and called “Atama” by Efik ethnic group in Nigeria, is indigenous to West 

Africa especially the Eastern-part of Nigeria, but it is now cultivated well in Central Africa (Babady-Billa et al., 1994) and 

it belongs to the family Rubiaceae. It is found across the tropical region from Guinea to Western-Cameroon, Fernando Po 

and across the Congo basin to East and South Central-Africa (Ajibesin et al., 2008). Lasianthera africana P. Beauv belonging 

to Stemonuraceae family, commonly known as “Editan” by Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups of Nigeria, is one of the sixth 

most consumed green leafy vegetables by the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Nigeria (Williams et al., 2009). Again, 

Pterocarpus mildbraedii Harms of the Papilionoidaea, commonly known as “Mkpafere” in Efik ethnic group of Nigeria, 

occurs in lowland rainforest, dry evergreen and riverine forests, up to 1250 m altitude, in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, 

Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania (Keay, 1989; Bosch, 2004). 

People in different parts of the world depend on plant resources for their basic needs and many of these plants in 

the ecosystem are being harness for various purposes. Hence, the need for comparative investigation of the proximate 

composition, minerals, vitamins and pigment composition in leafy vegetables remains crucial. This study thus compares the 

proximate, mineral, vitamin C and chlorophyll content of four leafy vegetables (G. africanum, H. crinita, L. africana and P. 

mildbraedii) consumed in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. 

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Source of Materials and Identification 

The leaves of G. africanum, H. crinita, L. africana and P. mildbraedii were collected from College of Agriculture, Obio-

Akpa Teaching and Research Farms Oruk-Anam Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The plants were wrapped with 

paper, bagged in polyethene bags and transported to the Herbarium unit of Plant Science and Biotechnology Department 

University of Port Harcourt for proper identification by the curator.  

 

Analyses of Plant Materials 

Proximate analysis (moisture, ash, protein, carbohydrate, lipid content and crude fibre) of the plants was determined 

following the standard method of Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 1990) while the extraction and determination 

of vitamin C was evaluated through titrimetric method (Okwu, 2004). Also, the chlorophyll content of the leaves was 

determined using the method of Comar and Zscheile (1942). 

 

Mineral Analysis 

The leaf samples were digested using hydrochloric acid (Okalebo et al., 2002). The mineral contents (Mg, K, Ca, Na, and 

Fe) of the plants were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). 

 

RESULTS 

Proximate Analysis, Vitamin C and Chlorophyll Content 

The nutritional content of G. africanum, H. crinita, L. africana and P. mildbraedii are presented in Figure 1. The following 

ranges were recorded: 2.78 – 8.99%, 9.63 – 14.00%, 5.43 – 12.15%, 0.001 – 0.013%, 1.91 – 3.14% and 63.38 – 78.01% for 

carbohydrate, protein, fibre, lipid, ash and moisture contents, respectively. The lipid content of G. africanum, H. crinita, L. 

africana and P. mildbraedii were less than 0.015%. Gnetum africanum had the highest lipid content (0.013%) followed by 

P. mildbraedii (0.009%), H. crinita (0.007%) while L. africana recorded the least lipid content at 0.001%. The leaves had 

higher protein content than carbohydrate. Lasiathera africana leaf had the least fibre content in relation to other leaves, while 

the reverse was the case for moisture content. Across the plants, the protein and fibre contents had the same trend. 

The vitamin C and chlorophyll contents of G. africanum, H. crinita, L. africana and P. mildbraedii are presented in Figure 

2. Vitamin C across the plants ranged from 2.2 – 3.0%. Among the leafy vegetables, L. africana and P. mildbraedii had the 

lowest vitamin C content while G. africanum and H. crinita recorded 3.0% and 2.4%, respectively. Also, the chlorophyll 

content varied across plants but chlorophyll a was lower than chlorophyll b in all cases. Gnetum africanum and P. 

mildbraedii had the highest value for chlorophyll a and b, respectively, while L. africana had the least value for chlorophyll 

a and b. 



Agogbua et al., American International Journal of Agricultural Studies 6(1) (2022), 1-7 

  

3 
 

 

 

 

Mineral Analysis 

The mineral content of the leaves showed that potassium content had the highest value, followed by magnesium, calcium, 

sodium and iron (Figure 3). Among the plants, potassium content was more in L. africana than H. crinita and P. mildbraedii 

while the least was recorded in G. africanum. Also, calcium content was observed to be greater in the leaf of L. africana 

than H. crinita, G. africanum and P. mildbraedii, in that sequence. The levels of iron were 94.75 mg/kg, 87.00 mg/kg, 74.15 

mg/kg, and 66.60 mg/kg for G. africanum, P. mildbraedii, L. africana and H. crinita, respectively. 

 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Protein Carbohydrate Fibre Moisture Ash Lipid

P
er

ce
n
ta

g
e 

co
m

p
o

si
ti

o
n
 (

%
)

Proximate composition

Figure 1. Proximate composition of four vegetables consumed mostly in Akwa 

Ibom

G. africanum L. africana H. crinita P. mildbraedii

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll b Vit. C

P
er

ce
n
ta

g
e 

co
m

p
o

si
ti

o
n
 (

%
)

Figure 2. Chlorophyll and vitamin C content of four consumed vegetables in Akwa 

Ibom

G. africanum L. africana H. crinita P. mildbraedii



Agogbua et al., American International Journal of Agricultural Studies 6(1) (2022), 1-7 

  

4 
 

 

DISCUSSION 

The protein content of G. africanum and P. mildbraedii are within the range reported by Ekpo (2007) and Taiga et al. (2008) 

while L. africana and H. crinita are below the range. Ekpo (2007) reported a crude protein content of G. africanum at 17.5% 

while Taiga et al. (2008) reported a value of 13.33%. These differences in the protein contents may be attributed to the 

changes and forms of manure applied to improve the soil nitrogen content where these vegetables are harvested (Saidu & 

Jideobi, 2009). The moisture content of the tested leafy vegetables was high. According to Gbadamosi et al. (2011), high 

moisture content supports stabilization of protoplasmic contents of the cells and further preserves the homeostasis of the 

cells, while, food spoilage caused by microorganisms could be attributed to high moisture contents. Fagbohun et al. (2012) 

reported that the presence of mineral elements in vegetables is directly related to its ash content. This implies that increase 

in the ash content results to increase in mineral nutrition available in the plant. The highest ash content was obtained in H. 

crinita (3.14%) and the least in G. africanum (1.91%). Therefore, this observation concerning H. crinita ash content agrees 

with the findings of Adetuyi et al. (2011), while the values obtained for L. africana, G. africanum and P. mildbraedii are 

slightly closer to the range. Fibres are non-hydrolysable polysaccharides which possess the ability to dissolve or remains as 

solid state and increases faecal bulk. It forms complexes with cholesterol, sugars and protein. The excess consumption of 

fibre may decrease the danger of colon cancer and cleans the intestines thereby improving the performance of digestive 

system (Dawczynki et al., 2007). According to Ugbogu (2016), dietary fibre supports proper bowel movement and avert 

health related challenge such as diverticulosis by assisting trace elements absorption in the gut. The fibre content of H. 

crinita, L. africana, G. africanum and P. mildbraedii vegetables were high and in sufficient amount needed for normal body 

function, maintenance and growth.  

The plants Vitamin C content studied ranges from 0.069 – 0.094 mg/100g was highest in G. africanum. This vitamin 

C content was lower in relation to the work of Edeoga et al. (2005) on the vitamin content (10 – 76 mg/100g) of some 

Nigerian vegetables. Also, other researchers (Babalola et al., 2010; Okunade & Adesina, 2014; Lawal et al., 2015) reported 

the vitamin C content of Telfairia occidentalis as 62.50 mg/100g, 42.22 mg/100g, 64.333 mg/100g, 17.27 g/100g and 3.16 

g/100g, in that order. According to the National Research Council (1984), the daily recommended dietary requirement of 

vitamin C for adult is 30 mg/100g/day. Singh et al. (2012) reported that vitamin C is a crucial antioxidant present in the 

human system and have a range of functions such as: possess the ability to partake in enzymatic and hydroxylation reactions, 

involved in the oxidation-reduction reactions, it aids the absorption of micronutrients like Fe and Cu, available in trace 

element metabolism and protects cells from damage occasioned by the presence of free radical and environmental pollution. 

Vitamins serve as biological catalysts in many chemical reactions as well as precursors to various body factors. However, 

the body system readily releases water-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin C) faster than fat-soluble vitamins. 

The high level of potassium to other mineral elements in leafy vegetables is in line with the works of other 

researchers (Mensah et al., 2008; Adeleke & Abiodun, 2010; Adeyeye et al., 2018). Udo et al. (2013) working on two lesser 

known vegetables in farming communities in Cross River State Nigeria reported that calcium may be useful in the prevention 

of osteoporosis in the elderly. The mineral compositions of these leafy vegetables (G. africanum, H. crinita, L. africana and 

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

11000

Mg Ca Fe K Na

M
ii

n
er

al
 c

o
n
te

n
t 

(m
g
/k

g
)

Minerals

Figure 3. Mineral content of four mostly consumed vegetables in Akwa Ibom

G. africanum L. africana H. crinita P. mildbraedii



Agogbua et al., American International Journal of Agricultural Studies 6(1) (2022), 1-7 

  

5 
 

P. mildbraedii) were higher compared to the work of Idris (2011). According to Idris (2011), the mineral composition of T. 

occidentalis leaf extract was given as: Ca (0.67 mg/100g), P (0.40 mg/100g), K (0.15 mg/100g), N (3.41 mg/100g), Mg 

(0.43 mg/100g), Na (0.02 mg/100g), Zn (7.50 mg/100g), Fe (18.5 mg/100g), Mn (1.18 mg/100g). Ajibade et al. (2006) 

reported that the leaves of fluted pumpkin are rich in Fe, thus used to treat anaemia. Iron is a crucial trace element involved 

in the synthesis of haemoglobin, proper functioning of the central nervous system and in the oxidation of carbohydrates, 

proteins and fats (Adeyeye & Otokiti, 1999). 

 

CONCLUSION  

The present study has shown that the leafy vegetables examined are abundant in minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, 

sodium and iron) and vitamin C needed by the human body as daily supplement. Also, their rich proximate composition is 

an asset in confronting human nutritional challenges. The result suggests that the consumption of these vegetables in 

adequate amount would contribute greatly towards addressing human dietary requirement for proper development and 

suitable defense against illnesses arising from malnutrition. However, the study therefore recommends the consumption of 

these nutritious leafy vegetables based on dietary requirement of individuals. 

 

 

 
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, J.U.A. and K.O.; Data Curation, D.A.A., A.I.F., K.O. and J.U.A.; Methodology, J.U.A., K.O., D.A.A. and 
A.I.F.; Validation, J.U.A., K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Visualization, K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Formal Analysis, K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Investigation, 

J.U.A., K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Resources, K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Writing – Original Draft, K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Writing – Review & Editing, 

J.U.A., K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Supervision, K.O. and J.U.A.; Project Administration, K.O., D.A.A. and A.I.F.; Authors have read and agreed to the 
published version of the manuscript. 

Institutional Review Board Statement: Ethical review and approval were waived for this study, due to that the research does not deal with vulnerable 

groups or sensitive issues. 
Funding: The authors received no direct funding for this research. 

Informed Consent Statement: Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study. 
Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available 

due to restrictions. 

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

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