THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS OF LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATES AND BY PRODUCTS FROM OIL PALM PLANT (EL FOUND IN A PART OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

This study investigated the extraction and evaluation of Leaf Protein Concentrate (LPC) produced from Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves using three processing techniques: Heat Coagulation, Alum Precipitation and Acid Coagulation. The research aimed to compare the effects of these extraction methods on the Physical characteristics, Proximate composition, Mineral profile and Phytochemical constituents of the resulting concentrates. Standard laboratory procedures were employed for all analyses. The LPCs obtained from the three methods were dark green when fresh but turned blackish upon drying, indicating chlorophyll degradation during processing. Among the extraction techniques, the Acid Coagulation method yielded the highest Crude Protein value (33.84%), demonstrating its superior efficiency in protein recovery. Alum Precipitation recorded the highest Ash (7.50%) and Crude Fibre (13.33%) contents, suggesting higher mineral and structural residue retention. Heat Coagulation produced the highest Ether Extract (38.33%) and maintained better mineral preservation. Potassium was the most abundant mineral detected, with the highest concentration (231.67 mg/kg) observed in the Heat-treated LPC, while sodium recorded the least concentration (0.01 mg/kg). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, coumarins and cardiac glycosides in varying concentrations across treatments. These bioactive components indicate potential antioxidant, antimicrobial and functional benefits. Based on the findings, the Acid Coagulation technique is most effective for enhancing protein recovery from Oil Palm leaves, while Heat Coagulation is more suitable for retaining lipid and mineral components. Overall, Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Leaf Protein Concentrate presents a promising, low-cost and underutilized source of plant protein and minerals for animal feed formulation and other nutritional applications.