Abstract

SELECTED VITAMINS AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF IGBO ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS SEEDS AND PODS

Nwankwo Chinedum Ifeanyi*, Atasie Okechukwu Chibuike, Onwunmelu, Genevieve Onyedikachi, Onukaogu, Ulochukwu Ebenezer

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Abstract

Hunger and malnutrition are a menace to some parts of Africa and this story is not told as often as should. This study has shown Abelmoschus esculentus seeds and pods to be a cheaper and greener solution to the problem stated if taken seriously owing to the presence of vitamins and minerals in the seeds and pods as seen in this study. Abelmoschus esculentus is an Angiosperm belonging to the family "Malvaceae". The immature green pods of okra are consumed as a delicacy, while the extract of the pods also serves as a thickening agent in numerous recipes for soups, as well as sauces, to enhance thickness. The aim of the study is to evaluate selected vitamins and mineral composition of Abelmoschus esculents pods and seeds. Igbo Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fruits were obtained commercially from Ndoro market in Ikwuano Local Government, Abia state. Abelmoschus esculentus pods and seeds were separated and dried, then processed for determination of minerals were determined, after wet digestion of sample ash with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Hitachi Z6100, Tokyo, Japan). Vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin were determined according to the methods of AOAC, Association of Official Analytical Chemists (2005).The results for the seeds are as follows Vitamin B1 0.22μg/g, Riboflavin 0.48μg/g, Niacin 0.060.22μg/g, Ascorbate 4.71μg/g and Vitamin E 6.98 μg/g. for Pods, Vitamin B1 0.42μg/g Riboflavin 0.93μg/g, Niacin 0.20μg/g, Ascorbate 4.57mg/100g and Vitamin E 5.28 mg/100g. for minerals, the pods contained, Na+ 6.80±0.02 μg/g, K+ 170 ±0.02, Ca2+ 80±0.04 μg/g, P 44±0.02 μg/g, Mg2+ 51±0.06 μg/g Mn 0.7±0.04 μg/g, Fe2+ 0.3±0.02 μg/g, Zn2+ 0.4±0.02 μg/g. The results of this study make a very strong case for the use of this Abelmoschus esculentus as potential nutraceuticals as it has been shown to be rich in minerals and vitamins required for growth, development and vitality.

Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus is an Angiosperm belonging to the family "Malvaceae".