Nutritional Properties of the Leaf, Seed and Pericarp of the fruit of four cucurbitaceae Species from South- East Nigeria

Abstract

The proximate composition of the leaf, seed and pericarp of the following cucurbits: Cucurbita ficifolia, Mormodica charantia,Luffa cylindrica and Trichosanthes cucumerina were investigated. The carbohydrate content ranges from (70.17-97.46%), crude protein(0.23-0.50%), crude fiber (12.00-29.50%), ash(0.03-0.90%), moisture(0.09-1.00%), fat(0.006%). The investigation indicates that the leaf, seed and fruit pericarp of the cucurbits are of nutritive value.