Proximate and Mineral Composition of Selected Wild Edible Plants in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Wild edible plants have served as important nutritional resources for rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa, yet their chemical compositions remain largely undocumented in many Nigerian states. This study investigates the proximate and mineral composition of five wild edible plant species commonly consumed by farming communities in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Plant samples are collected during peak growing seasons from three local government areas representing distinct ecological zones within the state. Proximate analysis determines moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash, and nitrogen-free extractives following Association of Official Analytical Chemists protocols. Mineral determination covers calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anti-nutritional factors including tannins, oxalates, and phytates are also assessed to evaluate nutrient bioavailability. The study aims to compare the nutritional profiles of selected species against conventional vegetables commonly available in Nigerian markets. It is anticipated that certain species will demonstrate competitive mineral content, particularly iron and calcium, which are frequently deficient in rural Nigerian diets. Findings are discussed in the context of food security, indigenous knowledge systems, and the potential for commercialising underutilised plant resources. This research provides baseline compositional data useful for dietary planning, food labelling, and policy development by state ministries of agriculture and health. Keywords: wild edible plants, proximate analysis, mineral composition, Benue State, food security