Nutritional and Antimicrobial Properties of Bitter Leave(vernonia Amygdalina), Moringa Oleifera Leave and Goldenshower Tree (cassia Fistula)

Student: Damilola Oluwasegun (Project, 2025)
Department of Microbiology
Lens Polytechnic, offa, Kwara State.


Abstract

Fresh green Vernoniaamygdalinaleaves,moringaoleifera leave and golden shower tree (cassia fistula)(asuwon) were analyzed for protein content, moisture, ash, minerals and antimicrobial activity. Leaves had a moisture content of 83.0% (dry matter, 17.02%), a protein content of 1.30% and ash content of 0.50%. Mineral content was as follows: phosphorus, 61.55 μg g-1; selenium, 8.2x10-3μg g-1. iron, 4.71μg g-1 and zinc, 1.13μg g-1, based on fresh weight of leaves. The aqueous extract of the leaves inhibited the growth of the gram +ve bacterium Staphylococcus aureusand the gram –ve bacterium Escherichia coli. The nutritional and food processing implications of the results are discussed.

Keywords
leave nutritional antimicrobial properties bitter vernonia amygdalina moringa oleifera goldenshower