Assessment of Amino Acid Profile and Vitamin Content of Three Branded Poly-herbal Mixtures
Nda-Wonodi, W. *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria.
Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Amadi, B. A.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Poly-herbal mixtures are composed of numerous chemical compounds extracted from plants. This study assessed the amino acid profile and vitamin content (B1, B2, B3, B9, C, and K) of three poly-herbal mixtures using UV spectrophotometer for Vitamins and HPLC for Amino acids. The findings revealed both low and moderate levels of B vitamins. Vitamin C concentrations ranged from 58.7 ± 7.1 to 60.4 ± 10.1 mg/kg, while Vitamin K ranged from 3.30 ± 2.1 to 3.41 ± 0.3 mg/L. The highest vitamin concentrations were observed for Vitamin K and Vitamin B3 (Niacin), suggesting a more significant contribution to daily nutritional needs. In contrast, Vitamin B1, B2, and B9 levels were relatively low across all samples, indicating that the tested mixtures are not highly concentrated sources of these vitamins. Amino acid profile analysis showed that Samples A, B and C contained 18 amino acids, 16 amino acids and 18 amino acids with total concentrations of 159.64 ppm, 128.47 ppm, and 171.03 ppm, respectively, including both essential and non-essential amino acids. The dominant amino acids were isoleucine, alanine, and threonine in Sample A; valine, serine, and threonine in Sample B; isoleucine, proline, and threonine in Sample C. The samples provided key amino acids supporting critical functions such as muscle maintenance, cardiovascular health, immune function, and protein synthesis, making them valuable for general nutrition and specific health benefits. Conclusively, the low levels of some vitamins and amino acids highlight the need to consider serving size to accurately assess the mixtures.
Keywords: Poly-herbal mixtures, vitamins, essential and non-essential amino acids, threonine