A comparative study on morphology, mineral and vitamin compositions of two variants of Hibiscus sabdariffa (L.)

Abstract

Morphological, mineral and vitamin compositions of leaves and seeds of two varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. were evaluated using standard techniques and compared. Analysis of variance was employed in data analyses. Morphological study showed no significant difference in their habit, structure and phyllotaxy but varied mostly in sizes and colour. The red variety had a greater leaf area (94.25±0.310cm²) and petiole length (6.50±0.620cm) than the green variety, whose leaf area and petiole length are 53.95±0.400cm² and 3.60±0.332cm respectively. The minerals and vitamins were found to be present in all the parts of the two varieties investigated but in varying levels. Higher composition of the minerals and vitamins were found in the leaves than the seed. However, the nutrients were higher in the red variety. The results of the study revealed that these parts of the two varieties investigated are nutritious and can contribute significantly to the human health requirements thus could be extracted for the manufacture of food and drugs supplements. Overall data could be used as a viable tool in Roselle breeding for improvement in Roselle production and also to enhance proper taxonomic characterization and identification of the plant species which have immense economic potentials as ornamental plants.