Selected mineral and anti-nutrient composition of three varieties ofHibiscus sabdariffa Linn (Roselle) calyces

The mineral and anti-nutrient composition of Hibiscuss sabdariffa linn calyces of dark red, red and white varieties from three sites in Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The sun dried samples were analysed for proximate, mineral, anti-nutrient and ascorbic acid. Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were analysed using AAS, while flame photometer was used for K and Na. P was determined by the vanadomolybdadate method and ascorbic acid by spectrophotometric method. Phytic acid, oxalate and nitrate were determined using titration method. Saponin and cyanogenic glycoside were determined by gravimetric and spectrophotometric methods respectively. Only the concentrations for Ca and Mg (among the macro elements) showed no significant difference (p< 0.05) among the three varieties. Only the concentrations for Fe and Cu (among the micro elements) showed no significant difference (p< 0.05). The concentrations for ascorbic acid also showed no significant difference (p< 0.05). Similarly, the concentrations for Phytate and saponins showed no significant difference (p< 0.05 Therefore, there is no much difference in the choice of dark red, red or white calyces of H. sabdariffa collected from Zuru for the purpose of supplying to the body Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu and Ascorbic acid.Keywords: mineral, anti-nutrient, dark red, red and white, roselle, calyces