Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition and photochemical of Oha leaves (P. soyauxii). Fresh leaves of P. soyauxii were destalked, washed and oven dried at 100oc. The dried P. soyauxii leaves were ground into fine powder using pestle and mortar and evaluated for chemical, mineral and photochemical using standard methods. The chemical composition showed P. soyauxii contain, moisture 79.63%, Ash 8.87% fat 6.69%, protein 2.37% , fiber. 66% and carbohydrate 8.47% the mineral showed that P. soyauxii contain 86.00/100g, potassium 8.60mg/100, magnesium 1.30mg/100g, iron 7.60mg/100, zinc 3.40mg/100g, sodium 2.60mg/100g, copper 3.30mg/100. The presence of pytochemical in P. soyauxii such as saponins 0.89%, oxapate 2.74mg/100g and flavouoid 12:69%. This study revealed that P. soyauxii if consumed insufficient amount, would contrinte greatly to the nutritional status of human health and to the food security of Nigerian population.
Keywords: Oha (P. soyauxii), phytochemical, oxalate, flavonoid, phytate, saponins.