Comparison of the Nutritional Composition in Myrianthus arboreus and Alchornea Cordifolia Grown in Nigeria

Alchornea cordifolia and Myrianthus arboreus are highly nutritious plants that have long been recognised in various cultures and traditional medicine systems. However, there is a scarcity of current scientific research that compares their nutritional compositions. This study aimed to assess and compare the proximate composition, vitamins, and mineral contents of the two species to evaluate their potential in nutritional and therapeutic applications. Fresh leaves of both plants were collected from Nigeria, oven-dried, powdered, and subjected to standard analytical procedures for proximate analysis, vitamin determination, and mineral profiling. The results revealed that Alchornea cordifolia is particularly rich in protein (۲۹.۷۵%), carbohydrates (۳۵.۸۶%), and vitamin A (۱۱۱۷ mg/۱۰۰ g), along with notable levels of calcium and potassium, highlighting its value as a source of essential nutrients. In contrast, Myrianthus arboreus showed higher fat content (۲۱.۲۷%), dietary fibre (۰.۴۵%), and caloric value (۴۰۶.۳ kcal). It also exhibited higher levels of vitamins C and E, which contribute to its antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that each species provides distinct nutritional advantages and could be used complementarily in functional foods or traditional herbal formulations to enhance dietary diversity and health benefits.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alchornea cordifolia ، Myrianthus arboreus ، Minerals ، Nutritional Value ، proximate composition ، vitamins