COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUTRIENTS AND PHYTOCHEMICALS OF LEMON GRASS (Cymbopogon citratus), BITTER LEAF (Vernonia amygdalina) AND THEIR BLENDS

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and compare nutrients and phytochemical of lemon grass, bitter leaf and their blends. Samples of lemon grass (10g), bitter leaf (10g) and their blends (5g each) were collected and analysed for proximate and phytochemical composition, The data sets generated were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2002) software package. Means were compared using LSD in a completely randomized design (CRD). Proximate analysis of the extracts showed that crude protein (4.36-9.45), crude fibre (2.10-5.76), crude fat (12.00-24.50), ash (2.76-4.99), soluble carbohydrates (33.01-72.92) and the values were affected (P< 0.05) by the blends of lemon grass and bitter leaf. The phytochemicals were not significantly affected (p0.05) by the blends of lemon grass and bitter leaf.  Considering the higher crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat, ash, soluble carbohydrates and mixtures of phytochemicals in the blend of lemon grass and bitter leaf compared to lemon grass and bitter leaf alone, it is recommended for farmers to use the blend of lemongrass and bitter leaf as source of additive for in vivo feed trials to utilize the nutrients and phytochemicals in them.