Determination of β-carotene and α-tocopherol Content in Selected Fresh and Dry Vegetables in Butula in Busia County

Abstract

The study involved the determination of β-carotene and α-tocopherol content in selected fresh and dry vegetables (amaranthus, cowpea leaves, nightshade, slender leaf, pumpkin leaves and frying spider) using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) procedure. Fresh blanched vegetables contained high levels of β-carotene; 4000-9700µg/100g and α-tocopherol levels; 3000-7360µg/100g (WW). The solar dried vegetables contained β- carotene levels ranging from 572 to 854µg g-1 dry weight (DW) and α-tocopherol levels ranging from 281 to 673µg g-1 (DW). Solar dried vegetables contained significantly lower (P<0.05) amounts of β-carotene and α-tocopherol which were moderately bioavailable when mixed in good proportion to meet Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamins A and E; which are 750µg retinol equivalent/day and 8mg/day respectively. The results will provide nutritional information on the indigenous vegetables grown in Butula in Busia County.