Comparative Proximate Analysis of Ethanolic and Water Extracts of Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) and Four Tea Brands

The comparative nutritive values of different tea brands on sale in Nigeria were investigated and compared with natural Lemon grass extracts. The brands include Lipton tea, Top tea, Nescafe and Green tea. The percentage moisture, ash, crude fibres, lipids and protein contents and antioxidant potentials were evaluated and compared. Phytochemical screening for the various tea brands compared to lemon grass was also carried out. Results from the study showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in the proximate composition of the various tea brands compared with Lemon grass. Top tea had the highest percentage of moisture (11.2%), crude fibre (84.35%), lipid (6.09%) and protein (0.44%) while Nescafe had the highest percentage of ash content (13.03%). Green tea contained the least ash content (4.79%) while Lemon grass had the lowest percentage lipid (0.42%). Phytochemical screening of these samples revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides and conjugated dienes in all the four tea brands investigated. Top tea appeared the most balanced nutritionally while the Green tea is the most susceptible to rancidity. Data of the study indicate that the indigenous tea brands including the natural extracts of lemon leaf are good sources of antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds and glycosides in addition to very few calories and only a small amount of fat with corresponding valuable minerals which they contained. They are therefore nutritionally acceptable and medicinally valuable.