Abuja Journal of Agriculture and Environment (AJAE)
THE EFFECT OF PROCESSING ON THE PROXIMATE, MINERAL AND VITAMIN COMPOSITION OF NEEM LEAVES (Azadirachta indica) GROWN IN GWAGWALADA, FCT-ABUJA
Author(s): Agubosi, O.C.P., Oluwafemi, R.A., Alagbe, J. O and Adeleke, I
Volume/Issue: Volume 1 , Issue 1 (2021)
ABSTRACT:
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of processing on the proximate, mineral and vitamin composition of Neem leaves grown in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Fresh Neem leaves (FNL), air dried Neem leaves (ADNL) and ensiled neem leaves (ENL) were analyzed using standard analytical methods. The results of the analysis shows that Crude protein (12.10%, 20.24%, 31.44%), Crude fibre (8.71%, 12.67%, 9.74%), Ether Extract (2.71%, 3.88%, 4.00 %), Ash (2.61%, 8.46%, 9.61%), Moisture (37.28%, 5.9%, 11.22%) and Nitrogen Free Extract (36.59%, 48.85%, 33.99%) for FNL, ADNL and ENL respectively. FNL, ADNL and ENL had the following macro mineral contents respectively: Calcium (41.34mg/100g, 57.98mg/100g, 66.10mg/100g), Magnesium (10.72 mg/100g, 20.67mg/100g, 22.13mg/100g), Potassium (9.20 mg/100g, 9.78mg/100g, 13.01 mg/100g), Sodium (1.00 mg/100g, 1.23 mg/100g, 1.23mg/100g), Phosphorus (0.45mg/100g, 0.33mg/100g, 1.88mg/100g). Vitamin analysis of all samples showed that they contain appreciable quantity of vitamins with the ENL having higher concentrations of ascorbic acid (72.02 mg/100g), thiamine (11.00 mg/100g), riboflavin (0.71 mg/100g), β-carotene; 0.33 and 0.21(mg/100g), α-tocopherol; 0.001 and 0.10 (mg/100g) and folic acid; 3.11 mg/100g) relative to ascorbic acid; 68.31 and 61.92 (mg/100g), thiamine; 10.33 and 10.34 (mg/100g), riboflavin; 0.72 and 0.66(mg/100g), β-carotene; 0.18 mg/100g), α-tocopherol (0.006 mg/100g) and folic acid; 2.41 and 0.12 (mg/100g) found in FNL and ADNL. It was concluded that ENL is rich in proteins, fats, energy, minerals and vitamins compared to the other samples (FNL and ADNL) and could be used as a potential protein supplements in livestock feed.