Nutritive Values of the Leaves of Crescentia Cujete (Ugbuba)

Mineral and proximate analysis of Crescentia Cujete (Ugbugba) leaves were examined using the methods recommended by Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC). The leaves contained 51.00+1.05% moisture, 2.30+0.2% ash, crude protein 51.00+0.43%, crude lipid 1.90+0.08%, crude fibre 4.00+0.12%, carbohydrates 40.40+0.02%. The minerals ranges from mg/g dry weight K(30.02 + 0.03), Na (12.10+0.32), Ca (60.00+0.01). Mg (361.42+0.01), P(14.19 +0.42), Mn (6.32 + 1.01), Fe (2.43+0.01), Cu (13.04+0.10), Zn (1.20+0.43), Na/K (0.40) and Ca/P (2.14), K, Mg, Ca and Fe were found in significant concentrations. The findings showed that Crescentia Cujete leaves are source of nutrients for edible purpose, a good Na/K ratio for lowering blood pressure.