Phytochemical and Nutritive Composition of Uvariachamae P. Beauv. Leaves, Stem Bark and Root Bark

Abstract

Uvariachamae is employed in African traditional medicine for the treatment of piles, ulcer, sore throat, cough, diarrhoea and urinary tract infection (UTI). In this study, the phytochemical and nutritional composition of root bark, stem bark and leaves were analysed using standard analytical methods. The results of the preliminary phytochemical screening indicate the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, phenols, carbohydrates, while deoxy sugar and phlobatannins were found to be absent in all the plant parts. Anthraquinones, saponins and cardiac glycosides were not found to be present in the leaves. Quantitatively, root bark, stem bark and leaves contained (mg/100 g); alkaloids (3.40, 0.80 and 1.40), cardiac glycosides (0.80, 0.64 and 0.53), flavonoids (6.70, 2.50 and 5.13), phenols (3.20, 4.30 and 1.76) respectively. The proximate composition estimation are: carbohydrate (91.83- 87.76%), caloric value (387.57- 375.87%), fibre (2.93- 2.40%), fat (0.80- 0.50%), protein (3.93- 5.70%), ash (1.30- 5.51%) and moisture (9.43- 79.80%) in the root bark, stem bark and leaves, with the highest carbohydrate and caloric values observed in the root bark. The percentage estimation of the antinutrients content for root bark, stem bark and leaves also revealed hydrocyanic acid values ranging from 0.97 to 1.26, phytate 0.24- 1.54, total oxalate 5.66- 11.40 and soluble oxalates 3.08- 6.38. The present findings suggest that the plant may be a potent site for drugs and food supplement.