Nutrient content of young cassava leaves and assessment of their acceptance as a green vegetable in Nigeria.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaves contained a high level of crude protein (29.3-32.4% dry weight) compared to a conventional vegetable, Amaranthus (19.6%). Ash was 4.6-6.4% in cassava leaf samples but 13.1% dry weight in Amaranthus. Dietary fibre was very high in all samples (26.9-39% dry weight) while HCN-potential was low (5.1-12.6 mg/100 g dry weight). Tannin was the highest in IITA red cassava leaves (29.7 mg/g) and the lowest in Amaranthus vegetable. In vitro digestibility was very low in oven dried samples (15.6-22.7%). Blanching increased protein content (except Amaranthus) and in vitro protein digestibility but decreased ash, minerals, dietary fibre and tannin, while HCN-potential was unchanged. Grinding reduced both HCN-potential and tannin by 84 and 71% respectively while oven drying only reduced the HCN content marginally. Preference studies showed that the highest percentage of respondents (25.3%) preferred Amaranthus vegetable, followed by Celosia (17.5%), Talinum (12.4%), garden egg (11.5%), with cassava leaves as the least (0.5%). Organoleptic evaluation rated cassava leaf soup inferior to Amaranthus in terms of appearance, colour and texture but equal in terms of taste and flavour and overall acceptability.
Awoyinka
A F
AF
Department of Agricultural Extension, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Abegunde
V O
VO
Adewusi
S R
SR
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004063:Digestion; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000032:analysis; D002365:Manihot / Q000737:chemistry; D009549:Nigeria; D009753:Nutritive Value; D018515:Plant Leaves
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide