ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND NUTRIENT CONTENT OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS), MORINGA (MORINGA OLEIFERA), TOMATO (LYCOPASICUM ESCULENTUS) AND GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM)

Abstract

Plants are composed of phytochemical constituents that serve different purposes for them, these include protection against destruction by animals. These phytochemicals also have medicinal properties for humans and animals. The test ingredients were dried and ground into powder, then were analysed for the phytochemicals, minerals, and proximate compositions. The results showed significantly (P≤0.05) higher phytochemicals, minerals and proximate compositions in fluted pumpkin and moringa than tomato and garlic. It was concluded that fluted pumpkin and moringa have higher phytochemicals, minerals and proximate compositions than tomato and garlic.