Leaf protein content of some Kenya vegetables.

Abstract

The protein content (N X 6.25) of tender leaves of collected Kenyan plants which can be classified as herbs except for Erythrococca bongensis, a shrub, was as follows: Basella alba 20.5, E. bongensis 18.1, Solanum tuberosum 31.8, Capsicum frutescens 26.2, Lycopersicum esculentum 31.8, Cucurbita pepo 31.1, Commelina nudiflora 15.6, Vigna schimperi 18.6, Triumfetta annua 24.7, Bidens pilosa 25.7 and Corchorus trilocularis 25.4%; the last 5 were wild species. Values for plants bought in the market were Amaranthus lividus 26.7, A. hybridus 27.8, Gynandropsis gynandra 35.8, V. unguiculata 28.5, Crotalaria brevidens 32.5, Corchorus olitorius 22.5, Brassica integrifolia 28.9 and S. nigrum 29.3%. A study with 4 species showed that values depended greatly on plant age.