Abstract

Ten indigenous vegetables consumed by the people of Navrongo, in the upper east region of Ghana were sampled to determine mineral nutrient content. Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn and Ca were estimated using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Flame photometer was used for Na and K estimation. Spectrophotometry was used for P estimation and Kjeldahl method for N estimation. Among the ten indigenous vegetables studied, Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin) was found to be a good source of P, Ca and Fe (0.57 ± 0.01%, 5.26 ± 0.35 % and 254.8 ± 2.30 mg/kg respectively). Phaseolus vulgaris (beans leaves) was rich in N, Mg, Mn and Zn (5.95 ± 0.06 %, 0.52 ± 0.02 %, 92.79 ± 0.98 mg/kg and 25.10 ± 0.16 mg/kg respectively). Solanum macrocapon (garden egg leaf) had high levels K Mg and Zn (6.93 ± 0.05 %, 0.77 ± 0.01 % and 24.53 ± 0.04 mg/kg respectively). Corchorus tridens (ayoyo) had significant amount of sodium (Na) of 0.71 ± 0.01 %. An amount of 28.78 ± 0.75 mg/kg of Copper (Cu) was found in Abelmoschus esculentus leaves (okro). Abelmoschus esculentus may have the longest shelf –life due to the low moisture content recorded. Findings of this study suggest that some vegetables had higher level of minerals than others; this also gives scientific backing for some traditional uses that were mainly based on experience.

Key words: indigenous, vegetables, mineral content, ‘ayoyo’, pumpkin