PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF Ocimum gratissimum LEAVES SUBJECTED TO DIFFERENT DRYING METHODS

This study investigated the mineral contents and proximate analysis of scent leaves (Ocimum gratissimum) subjected to different drying methods. Fresh leaves of Ocimum gratissimum were collected from Uchi Market, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria and identified by a qualified botanist at the biological garden in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. The leaves were divided into two portions. While a portion was shadow-dried, the other was sundried. The proximate analysis was examined, and the result revealed that in the sundried leaves, the moisture content, ash content, crude fat content, crude fibre content, crude protein and carbohydrate content were 7.98 ± 0.16 %, 6.22 ± 0.14 %, 11.45 ± 0.61 %, 13.54 ± 1.46 %, 23.80 ± 0.55 % and 37.01 ± 1.11 % respectively. While for the leaves subjected to shadow drying, the moisture content, ash content, crude fat content, crude fibre content, crude protein and carbohydrate content were 9.04 ± 0.02 %, 5.98 ± 0.61 %, 10.02 ± 0.42 %, 12.37 ± 0.98 %, 20.98 ± 1.31 % and 41.61 ± 1.38 % respectively. The mineral composition was also determined and the result revealed that, for sundried Ocimum gratissimum leaves; calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and sodium were 128.42 ± 3.953 mg/g, 19.3065 ± 0.220 mg/g, 185.432 ± 1.14622 mg/g, 43.847 ± 0.446 mg/g, 58.487 ± 0.182 mg/g and 13.382 ± 1.643 mg/g respectively. Also, for shadow dried Ocimum gratissimum leaves, the mineral composition for calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and chromium were 111.731 ± 3.411 mg/g, 12.391 ± 0.213 mg/g, 181.391 ± 1.003 mg/g, 40.617 ± 0.431 mg/g, 54.827 ± 0.178 mg/g and 16.331 ± 1.441 mg/g, respectively. The study therefore concludes that the sundried Ocimum gratissimum leaves have more nutritional and mineral composition than shadow-dried leaves. This indicates that the plant extract might also be a potential source for drug formulation, as the plant leaves are used traditionally for the treatment of many infectious diseases.