Interaction Effect of Season, Habitat and Leaf Age on Proximate Composition of <i>Senna occidentalis</i> and <i>Senna obtusifolia</i> Leaves Grown in Fadama and Upland Locations in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the effect of season, habitat and leaf age on proximate composition of leaves of Senna occidentalis L. and S. obtusifolia L. Leaves samples were collected from stands of Fadama Research Farm and Upland (Biological garden) at Permanent Site, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and analyzed for nutrient contents using oven drying, muffle furnace ashing, soxhlet extraction, distillation and ashing, micro Kjeldahl method, and difference (NFE) methods. Data was subjected to ANOVA and LSD at 0.05% for means separation. The results for interaction effect were all statistically significant (P<0.05) in the leaves of the two Senna species and were influenced variedly by the treatment factors. Specifically, rainy subseason, fadama and upland habitats, young and matured leaves treatments favoured most of the nutrient contents (e.g. moisture, ash, crude fibre and NFE) in the following ranges : Moisture (31.37 -81.07%), Ash (3..50 -80.00%), Crude Fibre (1.00 -12.50%), Ether Extract (1.07-5.47 %), Crude Protein (7.13 -18.94 %) and ). This indicates that season, habitat and leaf age are important factors affecting plant growth and development. The results suggest that the species may be sources of the nutrients studied and could enrich the dietary intake of individuals.

Effect of Plant Age on the Quantity and Quality of Proteins Extracted from Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Leaves

“…The quantity and quality of proteins extracted from leaves depend on different factors, one of which is the overall chemical composition of the leaves. This composition has been shown to differ among leaves of different age (developmental stages), for example, young, old, or senescent. − However, when leaves are obtained collectively during harvest of the plants, as for example in the case of sugar beet leaves, an array of leaves of different developmental stages is collected. Also, the harvesting time may vary, because, for instance, in northern Europe the harvest of sugar beets usually takes place from September until December.…”

Production, Nutritional Value and Toxicity of Kawal, a Fermented Product from the Leaves of Cassia obtusifolia (L.): A Review

“…Additionally, they are a source of cassia gum, a food additive commonly used as a thickener [24]. The young tender leaves of C. obtusifolia used as vegetable in Cameroun, Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal, Benin and Burkina Faso [26,2,29,30,5]. The picking season of the leaves of C. obtusifolia is from July to October [5].…”

“…In Burkina Faso the stems of C. obtusifolia are used as firewood or skewers [5]. In Nigeria the plant is also used as fodder for animals [29]. Floured seeds have nematocidal properties when incorporated into soil at 5% [33].…”

Nutritional Potential of Two Leafy Vegetables &lt;i&gt;Leptadenia hastata&lt;/i&gt; Decne and &lt;i&gt;Senna obtusifolia&lt;/i&gt; Link Consumed in Senegal

“…In a context of integrated local development, a policy, involved by WHO is the use of local resources. Some results are available on the leaves composition of L. hastata from Burkina [5], Niger [13], Uganda [14] and those of S. obtusifolia from Nigeria [15] [16]. Neither nutritional composition of L. hastata nor S. obtusifolia's ones from Senegal area are available.…”