Determination Of Nutritional Potential Of Cymbopogon Citratus (D.C.) Staph By Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy And Its Health Benefits

Abstract

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) was processed for analyses. They were sorted and chopped into bits. They were sundried for 12hrs, oven dried for 24hrs at 60oC and pulverized. Digestion was carried out according to AOAC 2000 and analysed for P, Mg, K, Na, Se, B, Co, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Ca contents using Unicam 939/959 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Out of these twelve “botanical based minerals”, the most abundant was potassium followed by magnesium, phosphorus and calcium the least being boron. Most nutritional problems in Nigeria experienced by the vulnerable groups - the children and the elderly are due to mineral deficiencies in unwholesome or processed foods. Minerals usually obtained from synthetic mineral supplements are inadequate for the rural population due to high cost of procurement and at times adulteration. Most of them are toxic to susceptible individuals. Lemon grass is very effective in „Ajurvedic‟ medicine because of the “botanical based minerals” and bioactive compounds therefore taken in adequate quantities will help in the improvement of general health.