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Antioxidants from natural sources can be antidotes for free radical release during metabolic activities in humans. Basella spp., a commonly eaten vegetable in south-western Nigeria, may have the potential to supply antioxidants to the human diet. The study evaluated phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of species and landraces of Basella spp. The forms of Basella spp. contained phytochemicals and antioxidant properties in varied amount. Basella alba, round leaf, had the highest contents of phenol (0.22 ± 0.02%) and vitamins A and C, 21.96 ± 0.01% and 21.67 ± 0.90%, respectively. Basella rubra had the highest alkaloids and tannin contents, 7.68 ± 0.11 and 0.47 ± 0.17%, respectively. Basella cordifolia had the highest anthraquinone (12.50 ± 0.03%) content; the highest flavonoid (96.77 ± 0.03%) and saponin (0.63 ± 0.01%) contents were in B. alba round. B. alba round also had the highest DPPH (44.85 ± 2.11%). The Basella forms have the potential of use as natural antioxidants need by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), grown in semi-arid and fragile soil, exhibits poor growth, yield loss, and reduced quantity of bioactive compounds which may be improved by seed priming with bio-rationale materials. A field experiment was undertaken from March to June 2022 to determine the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on bitter gourd growth, yield, and some phytochemical contents through seed priming. Plants of bitter gourd were divided into five sets. The first set served as a control and was not treated with ZnONPs. The plants of sets 2, 3, 4, and 5 were treated with ZnONPs primed seed at 0.5, 0.10, 0.15, or 0.20 mL∙L−1 concentrations, and priming duration of 24 h. Seed priming with 0.20 mL∙L−1 improved vine length, number of leaves, and number of branches per plant by 46, 21, and 39% compared to the control. Days to plant emergence and flowering were reduced and yield attributes improved by seed priming. Total phenolic, total flavonoids, and charantin, a steroidal saponin, contents as major secondary metabolite of fresh fruit of bitter gourd improved by 47, 36, and 52% treated with 0.20 mL∙L−1 of ZnONPs primed seed. Seed priming with ZnONPs could be used to improve growth, germination, important metabolites and yield of bitter gourd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duckweed (Lemna minor L) is a rich source of nutrients that can be exploited to meet dietary requirements in humans. The study evaluated the effect of processing (blanching with sun drying, sun-drying, shade-drying) on proximate, phytochemical, and toxic composition in duckweed harvested from Oghara, Delta State Nigeria. Blanched-sun-dried samples had amounts of protein, ash matter, crude fiber, and ether extract, 29.96 ± 0.21, 14.63 ± 0.21, 27.10 ± 041, and 2.83 ± 0.33%, respectively, that were greater than fresh samples. The concentration of toxic, phytochemicals, and anti-nutritional compounds was <0.001–213 mg∙kg−1, 0.83–58.55 mg∙g−1, and 1.81–13.75 mg∙g−1, respectively. Blanching with sun drying can be employed to concentrate nutrients in duckweed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) and Scent leaf (Occimum gratissimum L.) are vegetables with medicinal properties, commonly grown in West Africa, but only sparsely consumed because of the bitter taste of Bitter leaf and availability of substitutes for Scent leaf. These two vegetables are considered underutilized, but may have utility in over the counter remedies or as food supplements. The study was undertaken to estimate mineral content, bioactive compositions and antioxidant properties of Bitter leaf and Scent leaf to determine medicinal and nutritional values of the vegetables. Dried leaves, obtained from a garden in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, were individually ground to a fine powder for analyses. Vernonia amygdalina and O. gratissimum contained in percent, respectively, protein (42.52 ± 0.25, 14.73 ± 0.38), moisture (2.4 ± 0.05, 6.5 ± 0.57), fat (6.5 ± 0.29, 2.25 ± 0.03), ash (4.26 ± 0.02, 4.23 ± 0.01), crude fiber (3.83 ± 0.02, 5.95 ± 0.32), carbohydrate (40.47 ± 0.07, 66.34 ± 0.27), and dry matter (97.6 ± 0.05, 97.75 ± 0.03). Saponin, flavonoid, tannin, and some macro- and microminerals were present in the vegetables. If consumed in sufficient amount, the plants may contribute to nutritional requirements for good health in humans. The plants may also serve as sources of pharmaceutical formulations and food supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for beneficial medicinal benefits to humans from cabbage (Brassica oleraceaL. var.capitata) needs clarification. The research examined beneficial phytochemicals in cabbage that activate and stabilize antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms in humans. Methanolic extracts of red cabbage (B. oleraceaL. var.capitata f. rubra[MERC]), green cabbage (B. oleraceaL. var.capitata[MEGC]), cauliflower (B. oleraceaL. var.botrytis[MEC]), and broccoli (B. oleraceaL. var.italica[MEB]) were analyzed for antioxidant activity (AA) using different in vitro assays and polyphenol content. The AA was tested by radical scavenging activity of extracts against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical, ferric reducing power, and ferrous ion chelation assay. The antioxidant activity from all assays was in the order MERC > MEGC > MEB > MEC. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were highest and lowest for MERC (2.26 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]·g−1fresh weight [FW] and 1.43 mg rutin equivalent [RE]·g−1FW) and MEC (0.83 mg GAE·g−1FW and 0.42 mg RE·g−1FW), respectively, as were antioxidant assays. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses of extracts indicated presence of phenolic acid and flavonoid compounds confirming in vitro antioxidant behavior. There may be a rational for use ofB. oleracea, especially red and green cabbage, in phytomedicine as a food supplement against diseases that involve free radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]