RESULTS
Phytic Acid
The concentration of phytic acid was determined spectrophotometrically in three tested plant materials of Gishta as shown in table 2. The concentrations of phytic acid were obtained from 5 g dried leafy material. All the leaf samples contained phytic acid (detection limit 0.025 mg/ml) in this study. This may have been due to the fact that there was a limitation in terms of the detection concentration since concentrations less than mg was not tested. Seed extracts was found to contain the highest concentration of phytates with a concentration of 0.39mg/ml. leaf extracts contained phytates even though it was detected at a low concentration of 0.06mg/ml. whereas fruit pulp extracts had a concentration of 0.17mg/ml.
Saponins …show more content…
It is a major phosphate storage compound in plants and can account for 80% of total phosphorous (Lopez et al., 2002). The presence of phytic acid in plants consumed may inhibit iron absorption in infants to an extent similar to that in adults. Iron deficiency in infants can lead to reduced psychomotor and mental development with long term negative consequences on school performance (Davisson et al., 1994). All the plants were found to have low concentrations of phytic acid. Seeds of Gishta contain more Phytates compared with leaves and fruit pulp. There is no information in literature regarding the relationship between the plants in this study and phytic acid, however, Sirkka (1997) reported that phytic acid markedly reduced calcium bioavailability and formed calciumphytate complexes that inhibit Fe and Zn. Phytic acid intake of 4-9 mg/100g DM is said to decrease absorption of iron by 4-5 fold in human (Hurrel et al., 1992). Depending on the amount of plant-derived foods in the diet and the grade of food processing, the daily intake of phytic acid can be as high as 4 500 mg (Reddy, 2002). In average, Reddy et al. (1982) found the daily intake of phytic acid to be an estimated 2000-2600 mg for vegetarian diets as well as diets of inhabitants of rural areas of developing countries, and 150-1400 mg for mixed …show more content…
of Ethiopia) evaluated in this study are well endowed with all of the essential nutrients required for human nutrition. Should also be cautioned as they have indicated high antinutrient content especially trypsin inhibitors and alkoloids. All the tested samples contained antinutrients in varying concentrations. Consumption of this plant with low concentrations of antinutrients may appear safe at face value, but it should be noted that consumption of these plant materials over a long period as may contribute to adverse accumulative effects in the consumer. Thus further investigation with respect to the accumulative effect and toxic doses need to be
Phytic Acid
The concentration of phytic acid was determined spectrophotometrically in three tested plant materials of Gishta as shown in table 2. The concentrations of phytic acid were obtained from 5 g dried leafy material. All the leaf samples contained phytic acid (detection limit 0.025 mg/ml) in this study. This may have been due to the fact that there was a limitation in terms of the detection concentration since concentrations less than mg was not tested. Seed extracts was found to contain the highest concentration of phytates with a concentration of 0.39mg/ml. leaf extracts contained phytates even though it was detected at a low concentration of 0.06mg/ml. whereas fruit pulp extracts had a concentration of 0.17mg/ml.
Saponins …show more content…
It is a major phosphate storage compound in plants and can account for 80% of total phosphorous (Lopez et al., 2002). The presence of phytic acid in plants consumed may inhibit iron absorption in infants to an extent similar to that in adults. Iron deficiency in infants can lead to reduced psychomotor and mental development with long term negative consequences on school performance (Davisson et al., 1994). All the plants were found to have low concentrations of phytic acid. Seeds of Gishta contain more Phytates compared with leaves and fruit pulp. There is no information in literature regarding the relationship between the plants in this study and phytic acid, however, Sirkka (1997) reported that phytic acid markedly reduced calcium bioavailability and formed calciumphytate complexes that inhibit Fe and Zn. Phytic acid intake of 4-9 mg/100g DM is said to decrease absorption of iron by 4-5 fold in human (Hurrel et al., 1992). Depending on the amount of plant-derived foods in the diet and the grade of food processing, the daily intake of phytic acid can be as high as 4 500 mg (Reddy, 2002). In average, Reddy et al. (1982) found the daily intake of phytic acid to be an estimated 2000-2600 mg for vegetarian diets as well as diets of inhabitants of rural areas of developing countries, and 150-1400 mg for mixed …show more content…
of Ethiopia) evaluated in this study are well endowed with all of the essential nutrients required for human nutrition. Should also be cautioned as they have indicated high antinutrient content especially trypsin inhibitors and alkoloids. All the tested samples contained antinutrients in varying concentrations. Consumption of this plant with low concentrations of antinutrients may appear safe at face value, but it should be noted that consumption of these plant materials over a long period as may contribute to adverse accumulative effects in the consumer. Thus further investigation with respect to the accumulative effect and toxic doses need to be