Nutritional, functional property and bioactive components of the leaf products from edible vegetables

Leaf meal, protein and residues were produced from fresh leaves of Amaranthus spinosus , Amaranthus viridis , Telfairia occidentalis , Vernonia amygdalina , Bidens pilosa , Cnidoscolus aconitifolius , Manihot spp and Basella alba L and characterized for their proximate composition and some bio-active components. The leaf protein concentrate (LPC) in addition were characterized for their functional properties while three LPC with the highest crude protein (CP) content were analyzed for their amino acid profile and compared with FAO recommended pattern. Leaf meals (LM) contained on the average 16.25% ash (8.47-23.97%; CV%: 32.30), 24.96% crude protein (11.85 - 33.87%; CV%: 30.40), 9.94% crude fat (CF) (6.34 - 17.41%; CV%: 33.95) and 12.22% crude fibre (CFi) (5.73-18.45%; CV%: 32.33). In LPC products, the CP increased by 17.49-41.98%, CF by 11.82-35.73% while Cfi decreased by 24.38 - 83.71%. About 45 g of LPC from Manihot spp, 69g from T. occidentalis and 52 g of C. aconitifolius could be consumed to meet the 26g/d plant protein recommended by FAO. The LPC was limiting in methionine (1.41 - 1.62g16 g-1N; CV% of 6.94) and cystine (0.79 - 1.26 g 16 g-1N, CV% of 23.48) suggesting that any dietary formulation involving these LPC would need supplemental methionine. Water absorption capacity ranged from 200.02-390.03% while the oil absorption capacity varied: 60.74- 117.50%. The foaming capacity, foaming stability, emulsion capacity, emulsion stability and least gelation concentration averaged 6.31, 2.24 45.02, 51.73 and 5.84%, respectively. Fractionation could enhance the nutritive potentials of these vegetables and make them serve as possible protein food alternatives for well known plant proteins in regions where proteins are in short supply. Se produjeron harina de hojas, proteínas y residuos a partir de hojas frescas de Amaranthus spinosus , Amaranthus viridis , Telfairia occidentalis , Vernonia amygdalina , Bidens pilosa , Cnidoscolus aconitifolius , Manihot spp y Basella alba L y se caracterizó por su composición proximal y algunos componentes bio-activos. El concentrado de proteína de hojas (CPH) además se caracterizó a través de sus propiedades funcionales, mientras que los tres CPH con el mayor contenido de proteína cruda (PC) se analizaron para determinar el perfil de aminoácidos y se compararon con el patrón recomendado de la FAO. Los alimentos de las hojas (AH) tuvieron en promedio 16,25% de cenizas (8,47 a 23,97%, CV%: 32,30), 24,96% de PC (11,85 a 33