Abstract

The biochemical composition of some selected varieties of White Mulberry and Obeche leaves were investigated to ascertain their nutritional and antinutritional values. Three varieties of White Mulberry leaves (S₃₆, S₅₄ and K₂) were harvested from Ondo State sericulture centre while Obeche leaves were harvested from Aponmu Forest Reserve located in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, for analysis. Proximate chemical composition, minerals and anti-nutritional contents were determined on dry matter basis for the samples. The percentage of crude protein in all the samples was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) with 34.31, 21.66, 21.585 and 21.24% in Obeche, S₃₆, S₅₄ and K₂, respectively. Similarly, crude fibre follow the same trend with 20.753, 13.70, 10.81, 10.81, 13.70 and 8.74%, respectively, while the percentage water content were 73.70, 71.35, 72.16 and 76.00%, in Obeche, S₃₆, S₅₄ and K₂, respectively. The results further show that the samples contain zinc in the range of 34.4 - 57.5, sodium 1069 – 1526, manganese, 14.83 – 24.37, calcium 944 – 1467, potassium 1684 – 2170, iron, 129.70 – 238.00 and magnesium, 1450 – 2196 (mg/kg). The mineral composition was generally comparable with what is obtained with other leafy vegetables. Phytate was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in Obeche. Likewise, cyanide and tannin were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in S₃₆ than other treatments (Obeche, K₂ and S₃₄). However, these antinutrients (phytate, cyanide and tannin) are much lower than the pemitted values in fruits and any other food items. The result of the chemical analysis showed that all the selected Mulberry varieties and Obeche leaves contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning.

Key words: Mulberry leaves, nutritional characteristics, Obeche leaves, proximate composition.