PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT CHARACTERIZATION OF FIREWEED (CRASSOCEPHALUM CREPIDIOIDES) AND AFRICAN LETTUCE (LACTUCA TARAXACIFOLIA)

Two neglected and under utilized green leaf vegetables (Fireweed and African lettuce) in South-West, Nigeria was evaluated for phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties. The stems and leaves of the vegetables were cut, air-dried and ground to fine powder. The phytochemicals and antioxidants analyses were carried out using standard methods and the results obtained were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and DMRT analysis. The flavonoids, total phenol, oxalate, tannin and ascorbic acid contents were relatively higher in African lettuce than fireweed while total carotenoids, alkaloids and phytate were relatively higher in fireweed than African lettuce. It was only in total phenol content of both vegetables that there was no significant difference (P<0.05). There were no significant difference (P<0.05) in reducing power, Fe2+ chelating activity, DPPH and ABST+ radical scavenging activities of both vegetables, although these antioxidant properties were relatively higher in African lettuce than in fireweed. The two vegetables are highly rich in phytochemical antioxidant contents (although African lettuce is relatively richer) and this will enhance their usefulness as medicinal plants as well as antioxidant agents in lipids and lipid containing foods.