STUDIES ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND MINERAL ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF TWO (SHORT AND LONG) VARIETIES OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS) LEAVES CULTIVATED IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Abelmoschus esculentus L. is popularly known as okra or lady’s finger. It belongs to the family Malvaceae, is native to Africa, and is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to compare the phytochemical and mineral elemental composition of both short and long varieties of okra leaves. Samples were collected at Firki Swamp around lake chad maiduguri, and the leaves were tested for tannins, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, and flavonoids using standard laboratory procedures. Mineral elements of both short and long varieties of okra leaves were also determined using standard laboratory methods. The results showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides, while flavonoids were not detected. For the mineral elemental composition, the zinc content of the short variety of okra leaves (0.022 mg/g) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the long variety (0.014 mg/100 g). However, for iron (Fe) content, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction was observed in the short variety (2.84 mg/100 g) compared to the long variety (3.18 mg/g). There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference between the sodium (Na) content of the short variety okra leaves (1.68 mg/100 g) and the long variety okra leaves (1.36 mg/100 g). The information presented in this study shows the potential nutritional and medicinal importance of okra leaves, particularly due to their phytochemical constituents and mineral composition.