The objective of this study was to assess the nutritive value of Momordica balsamina L. leaves by analysing their proximate composition, amino acid profile and mineral constituents. The results showed that the plant leaves had high moisture content (71.00±0.95% fresh weights). The concentration of estimated crude protein and available carbohydrates on dry weight (DW) basis were 11.29 0.07% and 39.05±2.01% respectively. The leaves also have high ash (18.00±0.56% DW) and crude fibre (29.00±1.23% DW) contents; while crude lipid (2.66±0.13% DW) and energy value (191.16kcal/100g DW) were low. The study detected seventeen amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, valine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, proline and serine) with glutamic acid, leucine and aspartic acid being the predominance amino acids. Isoleucine, leucine, valine and aromatic acids were found to be higher than WHO/FAO/UNU (1985) requirement pattern for children, while sulphur containing amino acids are the only limiting amino acids for adults. The results of leaves mineral composition per 100g (DW) were as follows: K (1,320.00mg), Na (122.49mg), Ca (941.00mg), Mg (220.00mg), P (130.46mg), Fe (60.30mg), Cu (5.44mg), Mn (11.60mg) and Zn (3.18mg). Comparing the leaves mineral contents with RDA values, the results indicated that the Momordica balsamina leaves could be good supplement for some mineral elements particularly K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn.

Nutritional Composition of Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) Leaves

Groundwater under Basement Complex areas of southern Kebbi has been characterized in order to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigation use. Water samples were drawn from shallow groundwater (hand-dug shallow wells < 5 m) and deep groundwater (boreholes > 40 m). Physical parameters (i.e., temperature, TDS, pH, and EC), were determined in situ, using handheld meters. Discrete water samples were obtained for determination of chemical parameters. Results from several-sample ANOVA (Kruskal–Wallis test) suggested that heterogeneity in water table appeared to exert significant influence on groundwater chemistry which is characterized by a significant difference in pH, EC TH, Na⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, PO₄³⁻, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, and NO₃⁻ concentrations. Also, ions including Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, PO₄³⁻, and SO₄²⁻ are above World Health Organization (2011) and National Standard for Drinking Water Quality (2007) reference guidelines. Most of the groundwater sources are moderately hard. Groundwater classification based on chloride, EC, and TDS revealed water of excellent quality for all types of uses. However, groundwater classification based on nitrate pollution revealed water of poor quality. Rock mineral is the major mechanism controlling water chemistry, as revealed by the Gibbs model. Most of the water sources have positive Scholler index, indicative of overall base exchange reactions in the underlying aquifers. Such condition was well explained by Piper trilinear diagram, which revealed two types of faces: Ca–Mg–HCO₃ and Ca–Mg–SO₄–Cl. The HCA categorized wells into three groups according to their hydrogeochemical physiognomies. Despite the significant difference in ions concentration and chemical indices, groundwater composition is more influenced by rock weathering than anthropogenic inputs. Groundwater evaluation for irrigation use indicates a significant difference in SAR level which is related to poor permeability index in shallow groundwater. Higher values of Kelly’s index and magnesium adsorption ratio threatened groundwater suitability for irrigation use in the study area.

Plants are the major sources of microelements to populace of the developing world. However, presence of antinutritional factors limit their optimal utilization. In this paper, antinutritional content and their effect on bioavailability of Ca, Fe and Zn in Melocia corchorifolia leaves was investigated. The result indicated that the plant leaves had high level of tannin (4,689.06±2.60 mg/100 g dry weight, DW). The concentration of other antinutritional factors per/100 g DW is as follows: phytate (88.57 mg), total oxalate (585.00 mg), soluble oxalate (217.50 mg), cyanide (16.02 mg) and nitrate (74.41 mg). The predicted Ca, Fe and Zn bioavailability showed that [Oxalate]/[Ca] and [Oxalate]/[(Ca + Mg)] are below the critical level of 2.5 known to impair calcium bioavailability. Furthermore, [Phytate]/[Ca], [Phytate]/[Fe] and [Phytate]/[Zn] are below the critical level of 0.5, 0.4 and 1.5 respectively. However, [Ca][Phytate]/[Zn], 16.72, is above the critical level of 0.5, which indicates significant effect of phytate on Zn bioavailability. From the results it can be concluded that M. corchorifolia leaves could be an important bioresource for Ca and Fe but not for Zn considering the predicted bioavailability.

Nutritional Composition of the Seeds of Wild Melon (Citrullus ecirrhosus)