Abstract

COMPARISON OF POTASSIUM CONTENT OF MORINGA STENOPETALA AND BANANA SOLD AT LOCAL MARKET IN JIMMA TOWN, OROMIA, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA.

Bane Kebede Gurmessa, Girma Selale Geleta* and Gebru G/Tsadik

Abstract

In this study the potassium content of Moringa stenopetala and banana which are available in local market in Jimma town were determined and compared. The samples were purchased from market in March, 2014 and brought to laboratory of Chemistry Department, Jimma university. The sample were ashed in muffle furnace and then digested by 20% HNO3 on hot plate. The concentration of potassium was determined by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The average concentration of potassium in Moringa stenopetala and Banana were found to be 33625±0.03 mg/kg and 9325 ± 0.03 mg/kg respectively. The potassium content of Moringa stenopetala was found to be 3.6 times potassium of banana. It recommended that Moringa stenopetala is rich in potassium than banana and consumption of Moringa stenopetala is more crucial than banana.

Keywords: Moringa Stenopetala, Banana, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.