Comparative studies on nutrient and antinutrient composition of Eremomastax polysperma (Benth.) Dandy varieties in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Iba, Innocent Udofia

Abstract The varieties of Eremomastax polysperma investigated for the presence of nutrient and anti-nutrient. Standard analytical methods were used for these analyses. The varieties possessed high moisture content with Eremomastax polysperma purple leaf bark (EP) (81.90±3.28 %) being higher than the 79.13±1.57 % contained in the EG variety. There is a similar trend in the various aspects of the proximate composition of the plant, except the ash and fibre contents which were significantly different at p < 0.05 confidence level. Generally, the plants are rich in all the classes of nutrient. The presence of phytochemicals in these plant species suggests a possibility of medicinal usage of these plants. Tannins are present in the range of 52.23 ± 1.43 -62.33 ± 2.75 mg/100g with EP exhibiting a higher level than the Eremomastax polysperma green leaf bark (EG) variety, there is a high level of phenols in both varieties with EG having a higher level than the EP sample. Alkaloids and saponins are also present in the ranges of 2.94±0.05 -3.65±0.05 and 4.19±0.16 -4.28±0.02 respectively. EP has a higher level of alkaloid while EG had higher levels of saponins. There were significant differences in zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) contents of the two varieties. These sources of local plants could be a good source of trace elements essential to man. Despite the presence of useful nutrients in the plant varieties, there is likely to be safety concerns on the consumption of these botanicals due to the presence of antinutrients such as oxalate, thiocyanide and phytate