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The samples of four spices (Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Monodora myristica and Piper guineense) were analyzed for their proximate composition, minerals, antinutrients and vitamins constituents. The results revealed the presence of all food fractions (crude protein, crude fibre, moisture, ash, fat and carbohydrate) in these spices. The percentage of each food fraction differed significantly (P = 0.05) in the four spices. The results suggest that these spices are good sources of the various food fractions. Elemental analysis showed that minerals such as Na, Ca, K, P, N, Zn and Fe were present in these spices, indicating that they are good sources of these minerals. The concentration of these minerals differed significantly (P = 0.05) in each of the four spices. Antinutrients such as tannins, oxalate, phytate, alkaloids, saponins and hydrogen cyanide were found to be present in these spices. The concentration of these antinutrients in these spices was low. Therefore, consumption of these spices will not pose any danger to human health, since none of their concentration is above the lethal dosage. The concentration of each antinutrient differed significantly (P = 0.05) in these four spices. Vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E were observed in these spices. The concentration of each of these vitamins differed significantly (P = 0.05) in these four spices. These spices are therefore good sources of the various vitamins. This study has therefore shown and compared the proximate, mineral, antinutrient and vitamin composition of these studied species.

Keywords: Proximate composition, minerals, antinutrients, vitamins, spices.

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Citation: Ameh GI,  Ofordile EC, Nnaemeka VE (2016). Survey for the composition of some common spices cultivated in Nigeria. J. Agric. Crop Res. 4(5): 66-71.