Mineral And Phytochemical Content In Leaves Of Talinum Triagulare (Water Leaf) Subjected To Different Processing Methods

Abstract

The mineral and phytochemical content of vegetables cannot be overemphasized. The effect of processing methods on the mineral and phytochemical contact in leaves of Talinum triagulare was studies to determine which of the methods will minimize nutrient loss. Talinum triagulare was researched using different methods; sun drying, steam blanching and combination of these methods for its mineral and phytochemical content. The mineral analyzed were magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium and iron while the phytochemicals were saponin, oxalate, alkaloid, tannin and phytate. The results showed that sundried sample produces more value of the mineral content over steam blanched and the combined methods sample which means that sundrying method was the best. The phytochemical analysis showed that in sun dried samples, saponin was 2.200 (mg/g), phytate has 0.434 (mg/g) while in steam blanched sample alkaloid has the highest value of 5.200 (mg/g) oxalate has 3.600 (mg/g). The combined sample has the highest value of alkaloid 5.120 (mg/g). The three processing methods showed varied values which could not ascertain one method as been better or good in retaining the phytochemical content of the vegetables