The nutritional, phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of two underutilized leafy vegetables from Esanland in Edo State, Nigeria: Peperomia pellucida (L.) H.B.K; Piper umbellatum L. were investigated. Fresh leaves were shredded, sundried before milling into fine powder and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis. The proximate and mineral analysis revealed moderate quantities of protein, carbohydrate ascorbic acid and different mineral salts. The phytochemical screening recorded the presence of pharmacologically important substances such as tannins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides in both plants. However, steroids, terpenoids and phlobatannins were present only in P. umbellatum. The powdered samples were extracted in three different solvents (water, ethanol and ether) and tested against five pathogenic organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escheriachia coli, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans) isolated from patients admitted to the specialist Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, for various ailments. The extracts recorded appreciable zones of inhibitions (1-7mm), suggesting susceptibilities of the organisms. This indicates the potential usefulness of these plants in the treatment of various pathogenic diseases in this locality and hence can be developed as antimicrobial drugs/agents.
