Nutrient and Antinutrient Composition of Okra as Influenced by Botanical and Synthetic Pesticides

Okra [Abelmoschus esculenntus (L.) Moench] production is constrained by insect pests. Botanical insecticide may be an alternative to synthetics in pest management. Insecticide of all types can affect the physiology of crops. Three botanical insecticides, one synthetic insecticide, and two solvents, applied at three concentrations, were evaluated to determine effects on nutrient and antinutrient composition of okra. The materials were extracted on a weight/volume basis. The highest Ca, K, and Cr contents were in the botanical Morinda lucida (Benth) when tissues were extracted with 80% ethanol. The highest magnesium, iron, and zinc contents were in the botanical Vernonia amygdalina (Delile) when tissues were extracted with water at 90% concentration. The highest Mn and P contents were in M. lucida when botanical tissues were extracted with 90% ethanol and V. amygdalina when botanical tissues were extracted with water at 80%, respectively. No insecticide, the botanical V. amygdalina tissues extracted with 85% ethanol, the botanical M. lucida tissues extracted with 80% ethanol, and M. lucida tissues extracted with 90% ethanol produced the highest total phenolic, total flavonoid, flavonol, and tannin contents, respectively. The highest phytate and oxalate contents were okra treated with the botanical Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) tissues extracted with water at 90%. The highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl content and total antioxidant capacity were in okra treated with M. lucida tissues extracted with 90% ethanol and M. lucida tissues extracted with water at 90%, respectively; okra treated with the botanical V. amygdalina tissues extracted with water at 85% had the highest ferric reducing power and metal chelating activity. Most botanicals supported high yield/plot. The effect of pesticide on nutrient composition of okra varied, with most botanicals producing higher nutritional values and yield. These botanicals appear to be beneficial for pest management.