International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research Vol.2 (11), pp. 406-413, November 2014 Available online at http://www.journalissues.org/IJAPR/ http://dx.doi.org/10.15739/IJAPR.013 © 2014 Journal Issues ISSN 2350-1561

Original Research Article

Seasonal variation in nutritional compositions of spider ( gynandra L.) in south Côte d’Ivoire

Accepted 28 October, 2014

1AGBO Adouko Edith*, A survey on leafy vegetables consumption was carried out in the district of 2KOUAME Christophe, 1ANIN Abidjan. Samples of spider plant, were collected from the fields during the Atchibri Ocho Louise, 1SORO dry and the rainy seasons. Nutrient analysis of spider plant leaf were Leniferé Chantal, 3N’ZI Jean- performed on dry matter, pH, proteins, sugars, fibers, vitamin C, ß-carotene, minerals and oxalic acid content. The survey revealed that spider plant was Claude, 4FONDIO Lassina, less known and consumed. Oxalic acid level is high in rainy season (10.17 5GNAKRI Dago. mg/100g DW). Soluble fibers content is around 13.33 % in dry season and 1Laboratory of Nutrition and Food 16% in rainy season while, insoluble fibers rate is 25.1% in dry season and Security, University Nangui 23.07% in rainy season. The most β-carotene level was determined in rainy Abrogoua, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, season (110.26 µg/100g FW). Iron content was about 23.93 mg/100g DW in Côte d’Ivoire. dry season and 10.17 mg/100g DW in rainy season. Calcium content was 2 ICRAF (International Centre for high in rainy season (45.25 g/100g DW) whereas potassium content is more Research in Agroforestry), 08 BP elevated in dry season (109.38 g/100g DW). Except vitamin C, the other 2824 Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire. 3Laboratory of Genetics, University nutrients differ statistically within the seasons. Spider plant could be Felix Houphouet Boigny, 22 BP 582 harvested and consumed in the both seasons and there is a need to raise Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire awareness on its nutritional benefit to promote its production and 4National Agronomic Research consumption. Center, 01 BP 1740 Abidjan 01 Côte d’Ivoire Key words: Spider plant, dry season, rainy season, survey, nutritional 5University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, composition. BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.

*Corresponding Author Email: [email protected] Tel.: +(225) 07790364

INTRODUCTION

Leafy vegetables play an important role in the diet of Spider plant is an annual herb belonging to the family Ivoirian population. These vegetables are affordable with and which grows up to a height of 60 cm. It’s an accepted taste and good nutrients content. In Côte d’Ivoire, important source of micronutrients including minerals around 24 species of leafy vegetables from 15 families are (iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium), vitamins (A, B often grown and available in urban and peri-urban centers and C), proteins and dietary fibers. According to Agbo et al. (Fondio et al., 2007). The major ones are amaranths (2009) spider plant contains about 2.54 g/100g DW of (Amaranthus blitum, A. cruentus), jute mallows (Corchorus calcium, 51.32 mg/100g DW of iron, 45.04 mg/100g DW of olitorius, C. tridens, C. trilocularis), roselle (Hibiscus asper, H. phosphorus and 0.74 g/100g DW of magnesium. It also sabdariffa), sweet potato leaves (Ipomea batata), black contains oxalic acid (10.17 mg/100g DW). However, oxalic nightshade (Solanum nigrum), Lagos (Celosia acid and calcium ratio is low (0.004), reducing the argentea), Malabar spinach (Basella alba), waterleaf interference risk of this anti-nutritional factor with calcium (Talinum fructicosum), okra leaves (Abelmoschus esculentus, absorption by forming insoluble salts of calcium (Gupta et Abelmoschus callei) and spider plant (Cleome gynandra). al., 2004). It has a high antioxidant activity (61%) due to the Int. J. Agric. Pol. Res. 407

presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds but needs to be promoted. (1327.33±1.66 mg/g) (Muchuweti et al., 2007). This antioxidant activity can help to overcome free radical and Field Sampling oxidant stress (Yeager, 2004). As the others leafy vegetables, which take a pivotal role in Spider plant samples were collected from different the success of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) vegetable gardens in urban and peri-urban areas (site of global initiative on fruits and vegetables consumption in the airport, site of Mpouto village and site of Gbagba village) of sub-continent (Smith and Eyzaguirre, 2007), spider plant Abidjan in 2007 during the dry season (December to can play an important part in alleviating hunger and March) and the raining season (May to July). On each site, malnutrition (Van Rensburg et al., 2004). Indeed, according samples were collected twice by cutting the stems (with the to the Foods and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the leaves). Samples were regrouped according to site and United Nations around 868 million people (12.5% of the 500g were collected per site. Samples were placed in an world’s population) are undernourished in terms of energy isothermal cool box with ice packs and carried to the intake and 2 billion people suffer from one or more laboratory. micronutrients deficiencies (FAO, 2013). So, malnutrition and other diseases due to micronutrients deficiencies Laboratory Analysis should be overcome while consuming leafy vegetables and particularly spider plant because of their nutritional The samples were washed under running water and composition residual moisture was evaporated at room temperature. However, although spider plant has high nutritional Ascorbic acid and β-carotene analysis were carried out values, it remains underutilized due to lack of awareness from fresh leaf samples. For analysis of other nutritional and promotion of production technologies and utilization components leaf samples were dried in an oven (Selecta (Sheela et al., 2004). In fact, spider plant is unknown by a Memmert, Germany) at 45 °C ± 2 during 24 hours. Each large population of Côte d’Ivoire and it is usually consumed analysis was made in triplicate. by non Ivorians. Nutritional analysis was performed in the laboratory to The purpose of the study was to evaluate the nutritional determine dry matter content, pH, ashes, proteins (N x value of spider plant grown in the two major climatic 6.25) and oxalic acid using AOAC standard methods (AOAC, seasons of Côte d’Ivoire (the high dry season and the high 2005). Soluble sugars were extracted with ethanol 80% rainy season) with a few to determining the best season for (v/v) and analyzed by phenol-sulphuric acid method for growing the vegetable. total sugars (Dubois et al., 1956) and with dinitro-3.5-

salicylic acid for reduced sugars (Bernfeld, 1955). Ascorbic

acid was analyzed by volumetric method (Tomohiro, 1990) MATERIAL AND METHODS and β-carotene by HPLC with a Octadecylsilyl (ODS)

Hypersyl C column. Mobile phase was acetronitrile – Survey 18 methanol – ethyl acetate (80 : 10 : 10, v / v / v) at pH = 8

and the detection was made at 450 nm in UV (Tee et al., The study consisted of firstly a survey on leafy vegetables 1996). Phosphorus content was measured by molybdo- produced in urban and peri-urban areas and secondly in vanadate method at 410 nm using a Spectrophotometer the chemical analysis of the edible parts of Cleome gynandra Shimadzu (Kyoto, Japan) (AOAC, 2005). Calcium and grown in two seasons. The survey was conducted from potassium were determined using Shimadzu AA-680 March to August 2006. Information required in a atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Japan) at their questionnaire was on leafy vegetables consumption specified wavelengths (422.7 nm for calcium and 766.5 nm frequency, choice criteria (price, energetic value, for potassium). Iron concentration was estimated using an therapeutic value) and mode of conservation. The survey UV visible spectrophotometer (Jasco V–530, Japan) at 510 revealed that some leafy vegetables are cultivated only for nm. Soluble and insoluble fibers were also determined (Van leaves and others for both leaves and vegetables or fruits Soest, 1963). alone (okra, eggplant) and others for roots and leaves or roots alone (potatoes, cassava). The study considered only leafy vegetables which are cultivated for their leaves. These Statistical analysis include: jute mallow (Corchorus olitorus), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), spinach (Basella alba), amaranth (Amaranthus Data were analysed with SPSS 10.0 for Windows where hibridus), Lagos spinach (Celosia argentea), black data were subjected to descriptive statistics for calculation nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and spider plant (Cleome of frequencies. To compare means, one-way analysis of gynandra). However, this article has focused on spider variance (ANOVA) was performed and means were plant a leafy vegetable that is not popular in Côte d’Ivoire separated using a Duncan multiple range test (p=0.05).

Agbo et al. 408

Table 1. Leafy vegetables consumption level according to urban and peri-urban housewives

Leafy vegetables consumption (%) Leafy vegetables Urban Periurban Ranking Patato leaf (Ipomea batatas) 70 71.4 1st Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorus) 45.5 21.4 2nd Spinach (Basella alba) 43.9 42.9 3rd Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) 40.9 35.7 4th Amaranth (Amaranthus hibridus) 27.3 21.4 5th Lagos spinach (Celosia argentea) 18.2 28.6 6th Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) 12.1 14.3 7th Waterleaf(Talinum fructicosum) 10.6 28.6 8th Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) 3.03 7.1 9th

Figure 1 : Housewives choice criterion on leafy vegetables consumption

RESULTS except Vitamin C. Dry matter level is higher in dry season than in rainy season (Table 2). The pH is acid in both Survey data seasons with significant difference (5.26 in rainy season and 5.53 in dry season). Oxalic acid level is more elevated in The survey in Table 1 indicated that spider plant is not a rainy season (10.17 mg/100g DW) than in dry season (8.73 popular vegetable in Côte d’Ivoire with only 3.03% and mg/100g DW). In addition, proteins levels are slightly 7.1% housewives in urban and peri-urban cities influenced by the season and the highest value is in dry respectively. For urban housewives, the first choice season (39.07 %). Total sugar is about 2.3 mg/100g DW criterion of leafy vegetables is the taste whereas in the peri- and 5.09mg/100g DW in dry and in rainy season urban area, women’s choice of leafy vegetables was based respectively while reduced sugar is around 0.62mg/100g on energetic value (Figure 1). DW in dry season and 1.02mg/100g DW in rainy season (Figure 2). Soluble and insoluble fibers values differ Nutritional value of spider plant significantly between the seasons. Soluble fibers are lower in dry season (13.33%) than in rainy season (16%) while All nutrients analyzed showed a significant seasonal effect insoluble fibers are higher in dry season (25.1%) than in Int. J. Agric. Pol. Res. 409

Table 2. Dry matter, pH, ashes, oxalic acid and protein content in spider plant according to the seasons

Dry matter (%) pH Ashes (%) Oxalic acid (mg/100g DW) Protein g/100g DW Dry season 13.22b ± 0.18 5.53b ± 0.07 16.35a ± 0.66 8.73a ± 0.27 39.07b ± 2.2 Rainy season 11.95a ± 0.29 5.26a ± 0.05 17.7b ± 0.03 10.17b ± 0.09 37.17a ± 1.43

In column, means values with different letter differ statistically (p≤0.05) (Duncan test)

Figure 2 :Total and reduced sugars content in spider plant collected in dry and rainy seasons *There is a significant different between the season *Bar indicate standard deviation

Figure 3 : Soluble and insoluble fibers content in spider plant collected in dry and rainy seasons *There is a significant difference between the seasons

rainy season (23.07%) (Figure 3). However, β-carotene values differ significantly within the Vitamin C content in dry season (24.33mg/100g FW) is season. Indeed, β-carotene is about 17.99µg/100g FW in lower than in rainy season (33.33 mg/100g FW) (Figure 4). dry season and 110.26µg/100g FW in rainy season (Figure Agbo et al. 410

Figure 4 :Vitamin C content in spider plant collected in dry and rainy seasons

Figure 5:β-carotene content in spider plant collected in dry and rainy seasons *There is a significant difference between the seasons

5). Phosphorus and iron contents were more elevated in housewives choice suggest that leafy vegetables could help dry season than in rainy season and there is also a to alleviate nutritional insecurity of the populations significant difference between the two seasons. So, iron (Rubaihayo, 2002). The augmentation of dry matter in dry content was about 23.93 mg/100g DW in dry season and season goes with the increase in insoluble fibers, protein, 10.17mg/100g DW in rainy season (Figure 6). Magnesium phosphorus, iron and potassium. Oxalic acid seasonal and calcium contents are more elevated in rainy season difference may be due to the fact that oxalic acid levels (15.08 g/100g DW) and 45.25 g/100g DW, than in dry depend on agronomic and environmental factors (Causeret, season 7.28 g/100g DW and 22.65 g/100g DW respectively 1985). Oxalic acid in dry season is similar to Mishra et al. while potassium content is higher in dry season 109.38 (2011) who showed a content of 8.8 mg/100g DW. g/100g DW than in rainy season 58.96 g/100g DW (Figure However, in comparison to other leafy vegetables this 7). oxalic acid concentration in spider plant is low. Indeed, Sheela et al. (2004) revealed a content of 30.28 mg/100g DW in amaranth, 50.62 mg/100g DW in black nightshade, DISCUSSION 60.84 mg/100g DW in spinach and 88.21 mg/100g DW in roselle. The fact that protein level is high in dry season The fact that taste and energy value rank high in could be simply due to the augmentation of dry matter in Int. J. Agric. Pol. Res. 411

Figur 6: Phosphorus and iron content in spider plant collected in dry and rainy seasons *There is a significant difference between the seasons

Figure 7: Magnesium, calcium and potassium content spider plant collected in dry and rainy seasons *There is a significant difference between the seasons

dry season (Agbo et al., 2008). However, protein content is values in rainy season are similar to that of Soro et al. higher than that of Mishra et al. (2011) who indicated a (2012) who indicated a content of 16 % for soluble fibers value varying between 3.1-7.7 %. According to the same and 23.2% for insoluble fibers. This high level in spider authors the plant’s nutritional value may vary with soil plant is important considering that dietary fibers are fertility, environment, plant type, plant age and the essential for disease prevention and can also improve production techniques used. Soluble and insoluble fibers carbohydrate and lipid metabolism (Islam et al., 2004). Agbo et al. 412

In this study, vitamin C content in the both seasons are must take into account minerals bioavailability (Ifon, 1980). higher than that of K’Opondo et al. (2005) who revealed a content of 13mg/100g FW but lower than that of Mibei and Ojijo (2011) who obtained a content of 104.3mg/100g FW. CONCLUSION This could be due to genetic factors, plant maturity level and degree of exposure to sun because vitamin C is Although spider plant is not popularly consumed as a leafy destroyed at high temperature (Herzog et al., 1993). The vegetable in Côte d’Ivoire, it contains several nutrients such fact that β-carotene value is high in rainy season could as proteins, sugars, vitamins, β-carotene and minerals. contribute to maintain the conformation of the pigment- However, the nutritional composition varies with seasons. protein complexes and to scavenge the harmful free Proteins, insoluble fibers, phosphorus, iron and potassium radicals (Sen and Mukherji, 1999). However, β-carotene are high in dry season whereas oxalic acid, total and content is lower than that of K’Opondo et al. (2005) and reduced sugars, soluble fibers, vitamin C, β-carotene, Soro et al. (2012) who indicated a content of 10452 magnesium and calcium are higher in rainy season. µg/100g FW and 3100 µg/100g FW respectively. Considering its high contents in proteins, minerals and β- Phosphorus and iron contents were more elevated in dry carotene, spider plant can be recommended to overcome season than in rainy season and this difference could be due protein-energetic malnutrition, anemia and mineral to planting conditions such as climate, soil fertilisation, deficiencies. However, to avoid loss of nutrients in genetic and environmental factors (Boukari et al., 2001). preparation and cooking, spider plant should be harvested For phosphorus, a content of 33.35 mg/100g DW in dry and prepared in fresh form and for a short cooking time. season is important because phosphorus is implicated in calcium assimilation. However, this value is lower than the result of K’Opondo et al. (2005) who obtained a phosphorus ACKNOWLEDGMENTS content of 111 mg/100g DW in spider plant. Therefore, a phosphorus content of 4.19 mg/100g DW in rainy season This study was funded by a collaborative grant of IFS and could lead to a phosphorous deficiency in the leaves and CORAF/WECARD. also a decrease of photosynthetic activity (Rao et al., 1993). Moreover, iron content is more elevated than (6 mg/100g DW) value revealed by Grubben et al. (2004). 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