Anti-oxidant Properties of Some Lesser Known Fruits and Vegetables Consumed by families in South East Zone of Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant properties of some lesser known fruits and vegetables consumed by families in South East States of Nigeria. Twenty five (25) lesser known vegetables and seventeen (17) lesser known fruits were identified. Five research questions guided the study. The study adopted a survey design and experimental research design. An oral interview guide was used to answer research questions 1 and 2. The research questions 1 and 2 dealt with identification of lesser known vegetables and the lesser known fruits. Oral interview items were administered to South Eastern state women sampled from Imo and Enugu states. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine the antioxidants present in the lesser known fruits and vegetables as required in research questions 3 and 4. Structured questionnaire was used to answer research question 5 that dealt with the strategies to enhance the consumption of fruits and vegetables by the families. These questionnaires were administered to the postgraduate students of Vocational Teacher Education of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The instruments for data collections were validated by experts. They were tested for reliability too. The reliability coefficient for the oral interview and the structured questionnaire were 0.68 and 0.65 respectively. The random sampling technique was adopted to select ten (10) lesser known fruits and ten (10) lesser known vegetables. Percentage was used to analyze research questions 1 and 2. The mean and standard deviation were used in analyzing the research questions 3, 4 and 5. The ten antioxidant properties were contained in the lesser known fruits and vegetables determined. Some strategies that will help to enhance the consumption of the lesser known fruits and vegetables were developed. One of the strategies indicated that the lesser known fruits and vegetables should be included in the school curriculum. It was therefore recommended that Home Economists and families should incorporate the lesser known fruits and vegetables in the diet to avoid micronutrient deficiency diseases and free radical damage to the body.