Nutritional and Bioactive Potentials of an Underutilized Vegetable— Vitex doniana

Abstract

The use of lesser-known plant foods in addressing nutritional deficiencies is gaining popularity particularly in developing countries where malnutrition is endemic. This study investigated the proximate, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, tannins, phenolic acids, alkaloids, caratenoids, phytosterols and glycosides composition of the leaves of Vitex doniana using AOAC and gaschromatographic methods. The leaves had high (g/100g) fiber (14.67 - 35.39) and protein (15.46 - 37.30); but poor in lipid (0.80 - 1.93) and carbohydrates (4.02 - 9.70) corresponding to 58.68% - 141.56%, 30.92% - 74.60%, 1.23% - 2.97% and 1.34% - 3.23% daily value. The protein had relatively high level of essential amino acids (40.94). The leaves were rich in vitamins A, C and E; mineral elements, iron, copper, manganese and cobalt. Tannic acid constituted 100% of the tannins; ferulic acid (46.99%) for phenolic compounds; viticin (99.96%) of total alkaloids; lutein (35.62%) for carotenoids; vanillic acid (49.78%) and sitosterol (61.6%) for phytosterols while the most abundant of the glycocides was agnuside (72.64%) in the leaves. This result indicated that Vitex doniana leaves are a good source of nutrients and bioactive compounds for better nutrition and general wellbeing.