COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL, PROXIMATE AND MINERAL CONSTITUENTS OF AIR-DRIED LEAVES OF HIBISCUS ASPER AND HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA

Abstract

This study was conducted on the basis of radiant hope in medicinal plants‘ efficacy to solve health and nutritional problems in livestock production. Standard procedures were adopted in the determination of phytochemicals, proximate and mineral constituents of Hibiscus asper and Hibiscus sabdariffa. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids were present in both plants. These are indispensable for the body systems and physical well being. The quantitative phytochemicals were found to be more in H. asper than H. sabdariffa. Proximate values for moisture (12.163 ± 0.060), ash (11.709 ± 0.042), fat (9.579 ± 0.090), crude protein (13.903 ± 0.086) and crude fibre (1.418 ± 0.065) in H. asper were higher than that of H. sabdariffa. The metabolizable energy in H. asper was 3109 Kcal/Kg while that of H. sabdariffa was found to be 3107 Kcal/Kg; making the plants to a veritable source of energy. H. asper had higher values of Sodium (27.400), Potassium (72.500), Magnesium (10.480), Iron (0.670), Copper (0.280), Zinc (1.027), Phosphorus (3.130), compared to H. sabdariffa. Insignificant quantity of Lead (0.010 ppm) was detected in H. asper and none in H. sabdariffa, showing that the two plants are safe from lead poisoning. It was concluded that H. asper and H. sabdariffa are medicinal plants that can be of inestimable value in livestock production if the leaves can be exploited for drug and feed formulation.