Nutrient Composition of Selected Indigenous Vegetables in Kendu Bay, Homa Bay County

  • James Oduor Obiewa University of Eldoret; P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret
  • Titus Muthama Muthoka University of Eldoret; P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret
  • Lusweti Kituyi University of Eldoret; P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret
  • Edward Anino University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya.
##article.subject##: Indigenous Vegetables, Nutritional Composition, Essential Nutrients

##article.abstract##

This study aimed at assessing the nutrient and mineral composition of various selected indigenous vegetables, in Kendu Bay, Homa Bay County. The experimental design was adopted. A total of 48 samples for each vegetable variety were collected from various parts around Kendu Bay. Samples were collected from selected plants during flowering stage for purposes of botanical identification. Healthy and disease-free edible parts of the vegetables were selected to assess nutritional composition. Six samples; Solanumnigrum (Osuga), Cleome gynandra (Akeyo), Justiciaflava (Atipa), Amaranthushybridus (Ododo), Vignaunguiculata (Boo) and Crotalaria brevidens (Mitoo) were analyzed. The samples were manually washed with distilled water and residual moisture evaporated at room temperature. Samples were oven dried in paper envelope at 55◦C for 24 hours, ground into fine powder using pestle and mortar and sieved through 20-mesh sieve. The sieved samples were weighed and 2.0 g subjected to wet ashing (digestion) and analysed for K, Mg, Ca, Fe, and Mn. The samples were macerated for vitamins A and C analyses. Moisture was analyzed by loss of mass on drying through oven drying. Minerals Mg, Ca, Fe and Mn were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) while K was analyzed using both AAS and flame photometer. The vitamins; provitaminA (beta carotene) and vitamin C were analyzed using UV-spectrophotometry and titrimetric methods, respectively. The beta carotene contents of the vegetables were used to estimate retinol equivalent (vitamin A content). Moisture and ash contents of these vegetable species were determined using Association Official of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. Validity of the instruments was tested by regression, Horwitz ratio and standard recovery method. The results obtained were ash 9.71-19.83 mg / 100 g, moisture 77-87%, all the vegetables had vitamin C above recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 40-70 mg, β-carotene 3.34-9.40 mg. Mineral contents varied among species with K 309 mg / 100g in Amaranthus hybridus, Mg 17-24 mg / 100 g, Ca 90-149 mg / 100 g, Mn 5.78-22 mg / 100 g, and Fe 41-77 mg / 100 g. The findings of the study will provide additional information on the nutritional status of the selected vegetable and will be of great interest to the consumers, farmers, the Ministry of Public health and nutritionists in the provision of public awareness.

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##submissions.published##
2018-09-22
##issue.issue##
##issue.vol## 2 ##issue.no## 1 (2014)
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