Nutritional Assessment of Chenopodium Album L. (Imbikicane) Young Shoots and Mature Plant-Leaves Consumed in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa Bomkazi M Gqaza 1 , Collise Njume 2 , Nomalungelo I Goduka 2 and Grace George 1 . 1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa 2 Centre for Rural Development, Enkululekweni, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, 5117, South Africa. Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional content of Chenopodium album young shoots and mature plant-leaves locally consumed in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Young shoots and mature plant-leaves of C. album were analysed for proximate, vitamins and mineral composition according to AOAC standard analytical procedures. The mean values for carbohydrates, protein and fibre in the young shoots were 4.0, 32.2 and 37.0 (g/100g) while those for the mature plants were 7.0, 29.2 and 36.5 (g/100g) respectively. The calcium, potassium and magnesium content of young shoots was 12991, 45799 and 7982 (mg/1000g) while those for the mature plants were 18213.2, 49028.6 and 13821.5 (mg/1000g) respectively. Sodium was 48.8 and 68.0 (mg/100g) in young shoots and mature plants respectively. The microelements of Fe, Zn, Cu in the young shoots were 218.1, 26.2 and 14.0 (mg/1000g) while for the mature plant, they were 120.4, 23.0 and 9.1 (mg/1000g) respectively. Arsenic was 1.8mg/1000g, Sb and Sn measured <0.05mg/1000g and Cr measured 0.9mg/L in both young shoots and mature plants. The measurements for vitamin C were 5.6 and 5.2(mg/100g) while β-carotene measured 46 and 68 (μg/100g) in young shoots and mature plants respectively. Generally, the nutrient content of young shoots and mature plant-leaves were similar (P>0.05). These results indicate that C. album young shoots and mature plants could serve as potential sources of important dietary nutrients for the alleviation of problems associated with malnutrition in South Africa. Keywords: African leafy vegetable; Chenopodium album; Vitamins; Minerals; Eastern cape; South Africa. 1. Introduction The young shoots and leaves of Chenopodium album are consumed as vegetable in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province and other parts of South Africa [1]. The plant is commonly found along roadside paths, bushes and gardens where it grows as an erect annual herb producing angular stems, ribbed with longitudinal dark green or red streaks [2]. It is usually harvested by villagers and local dwellers and prepared with maize as porridge. It is referred to as lamb’s quarters in English and Imbikicane in isiXhosa. It belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae [3]. Studies carried out in different parts of the world indicate that C. album is a rich source of nutrients, antioxidants and important dietary elements [1] and [4]. However, many indigenous leafy vegetables including C. album are neglected and despised in the urban areas of South Africa, despite their nutritional richness and potential to contribute to healthier diets in the country. This is a methodological deficiency given the high rate of vitamin A deficiency in South Africa, especially among children under 10 years of age [5]. C. album is known to be resistant to pests, diseases and thrives well in minimally nutritive soils [6]. The plant may therefore constitute a good source of genes for genetic improvement of other crop varieties.  Corresponding author: Tel: +27764032219; E-mail address: ggeorge.grace@gmail.com 2013 2nd International Conference on Nutrition and Food Sciences IPCBEE vol.53 (2013) © (2013) IACSIT Press, Singapore DOI: 10.7763/IPCBEE. 2013. V53. 19 97