Evaluation of nutritional value of Asystasia mysorensis and Sesamum angustifolia and their potential contribution to human health

: Wild indigenous vegetables make considerable contributions to food baskets among subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proximate analysis, mineral composition, vitamin C content, β-carotene content, and GC-MS profile of crude methanolic extracts of Asystasia mysorensis and Sesamum angustifolia. Crude extracts obtained through sequential extraction using ethyl acetate and methanol were screened for the presence of secondary metabolites. Functional groups present were determined with a Shimadzu FT-IR spectrophotometer, while β-carotene content and ascorbic acid content were evaluated using a Shimadzu HPLC and Shimadzu UV-VIS spectrophotometer, respectively. Secondary metabolites present in the extracts were determined qualitatively using a Shimadzu GC-MS system equipped with a NIST spectral database. From the results obtained, the two plants could supply the recommended daily requirement for micronutrient and vitamin C content needed for a healthy diet. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in S. amgustifolia were higher as compared to A. myorensis; hence, their consumption is highly beneficial as some compounds identified in the GC-MS profile have been reported to have medicinal properties. The findings on the mineral and chemical composition, GC-MS profile of A. mysorensis and S. angustifolia indicate that their consumption may provide the recommended nutritional requirements needed for a healthy diet.