ANALYSIS OF THE MACRO AND MICRO ELEMENTS/ ANTI NUTRIENTS OF GNETUM AFRICANUM (AFANG LEAVES) OBTAINED FROM THREE LOCATIONS IN ONNA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA.

This study aimed to conduct analysis of the macro, micro and anti nutrients elements present in Gnetum africanum (Afang leaves) collected from three locations (Okat, Abat and Ndon Eyo) in Onna Local Government Area. The analysis involved determining the levels of zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, chromium, cobalt, calcium, sodium, aluminum, potassium, iron, oxalate, phthalate, hydrocyanic acids using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Samples were collected, prepared, and analyzed following standard methods. Results indicated significant variations in the composition and elemental concentrations. Zinc was found at 2.7567 ± 0.571mg/kg, cupper at 7.362 ± 1.220mg/kg, magnesium at 225.373 ± 198.525mg/kg, manganese at 2.230 ± 0.331mg/kg, selenium at 0.050 ± 0.010mg/kg, chromium at 0.0117 ±0.009mg/kg, cobalt at 0.0013 ±0.001mg/kg, calcium at 42.300 ±8.756mg/kg, sodium at 11.921 ± 1.123mg/kg, aluminum at 0.0017 ±0.001mg/kg, potassium at 558.733 ± 47.488mg/kg, iron at 6.461 ± 6.720mg/kg, oxalate at 300.33 ± 1.56mg/kg, phthalate at 12.42 ± 1.63mg/kg and hydrocyanic acid at 1.16 ± 0.17mg/kg. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the data obtained from the analysis by using mean and standard deviation statistical parameters to summarize the central tendency and variability of the data and were expressed as mean ± SD (standard deviation). In conclusion , Gnetum africanum from Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, the concentration of microelements is significantly higher than that of antinutrients. This suggests that the nutritional benefits (from microelements) are likely to outweigh the potential negative effects of antinutrients in this context.