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Background: Jute mallow is a widely consumed vegetable because of its enormous nutritional benefits. The mode of preparation of this vegetable differs across sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, it is commonly cooked with potash. This study was designed to assess the milling of jute mallow leaves before cooking as an alternative to chemical additives in its preparation into “ewedu” soup. Methods: The experiment was divided into four groups. Group A (jute mallow leaves cooked alone), Group B (jute mallow leaves cooked with 1 g of potash), Group C (jute mallow leaves cooked with 1 g of baking soda) and Group D (jute mallow leaves pulverized before cooking). Proximate, mineral and Vitamin C content, as well as the viscosity of the soups, were determined using standard analytical procedures. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the moisture, ash, fibre and lipid contents. However, the protein (4.29 %) content of group B and carbohydrate (2.4 %) content of group C were significantly lower (p>0.05) than that of the other groups. Potassium content (235.88 mg/100g) in group B, was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the other groups. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the calcium and magnesium contents. Group C (13.54 mg/100g) and B (12.15 mg/100g) showed a significantly higher (p<0.05) sodium content than A (10.44 mg/100g) and D (10.37mg/100g). There was no observed significant difference (p>0.05) in the vitamin C content of the groups. Viscosity was significant (p<0.05) in this order, A>B>D>C. Group A recorded the highest viscosity of approximately 9 cP compared to 2.7, 1.6 and 2.1 cP in groups B, C and D respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that milling before cooking can be promoted as against the use of potash and baking soda in processing jute mallow leaves into “ewedu” soup

Diospyros mespiliformis is among the popular multipurpose tropical fruit trees, commonly used as herbal medicines. However, due to the lack of adequate scientific data on the safety of this plant, the present study was conducted to determine the phytochemical compositions and acute toxicity profile of the crude methanol extract of D. mespiliformis. In addition, diospyrin, a bioactive compound from the plant was evaluated for in silico drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics (PKs) and acute toxicity. The phytochemical contents of the plant were quantified using standardized protocols while the 50% lethal dose (LD50) was evaluated using Lorke’s methods. Results revealed that flavonoids (265.46±0.32 mg/g) are the most abundant phytochemical in methanol leaf extract of D. mespiliformis, followed by alkaloids (224.56±0.19 mg/g) and phenols (191.82±0.04 mg/g) while saponins (7.90±0.32 mg/g) was the least abundant phytochemical. The plant extract has LD50 of > 5000 mg/kg in rats. No death was recorded throughout the study period. Similarly, no behavioural changes were observed in animals dosed with the crude extract at 10 -2900 mg/kg BW. Animals administered 5000 mg/kg BW were hyperactive, restless, and displayed profused breathing which lasted only for 30 minutes after administrations. Diospyrin a bioactive compound from D. mespiliformis demonstrated good druglike candidates and exhibited a high safety profile as revealed by in silico study. In conclusion, the crude methanol extract of D. mespiliformis and its bioactive compound is well-tolerated and non-toxic to rats, and thus could be considered a safe medicinal plant for acute oral remedies