Evaluation of phytonutrients and vitamin contents in a wild yam, Dioscorea belophylla (Prain) Haines

Abstract

The species studied was found to contain bioactive compounds comprising saponins (18.46 mg 100^-1g), alkaloids (0.68 mg 100^-1 g), flavonoids (8.84 mg 100^-1 g), tannins (4.2 x10² mg 100^-1 g) and phenols (2.8x10³ mg 100^-1 g). This yam contained vitamins such as ascorbic acid, riboflavin and thiamin. The importance of these chemical constituents is discussed with respect to the role of this Dioscorea species in herbal medicine.