• 2022-06-10
• Dada I.O, Agesin A. M.
• Volume 4, Issue 2

Abstract

Natural products have been an integral part of traditional phytomedicine systems. The objective of the study was to investigate the phytochemicals, proximate and mineral compositions of Moringa oleifera, Manihot esculenta, Anacardium occidentale L., Vernonia amygdalina, and Talinum triangulare leaves extracts. The phytochemicals, proximate, and mineral compositions of the leaves extracts were conducted using standard methods. The qualitative phytochemical screening of the extracts indicated the presence of saponin, tannin, terpenoids, flavonoids, and cardiac glycoside. Quantitatively, cardiac glycoside was found to be the abundant constituent in Moringa oleifera (24.8%), Manihot esculenta (21.8%), Anacardium occidentale L. (15.8%), Vernonia amygdalina (19.6%) when compared with other phytochemicals in the extracts. However, saponin was found to be the most abundant phytochemical in Talinum triangulare leaf extract making about 24.0%. The qualitative proximate analysis of the extracts in g/100g showed that the extracts contained carbohydrate, protein, fats, fibre, moisture, and ash. Quantitatively, carbohydrate was revealed as the highest nutrient in Manihot esculenta making about 62.15%, followed by Vernonia amygdalina extract (60.81%), Moringa oleifera (54.35%), and Talinum triangulare leaf extract (50.32%) respectively when compared with other proximate compositions in the extracts. The mineral composition analysis indicates the presence of sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and manganese. Vernonia amygdalina has the highest calcium concentration (30.40 ppm). Also, calcium was found to be the highest mineral when compared with other minerals in the extracts. The presence of nutrients in these leaves extracts were evidences that the five tropical leaves can be used as food supplement.