Nutritional and potential medicinal value of chromolaena odorata leaves

Abstract

The chemical analyses of both aqueous and methanolic extracts of the leaves of Chromolaena adorata (Siam weed) was carried out to assess the possible utilization of the plant leaf as food and medicine. The results obtained showed that the leaves contained carbohydrate (1.10±1.14%), Protein (24.08±0.08%), Lipid (14.00±0.01%), fiber (50.26±0.01%), Ash (10.98± 2.00%) and moisture content of 5.65±0.02%. An energy content of 220.20 kcal was recorded. The leaves also constituted a rich source of mineral elements such as Ca, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, P, and Mg. The leaves also yielded alkaloids (18.38±0.02%), Flavonoids (12.90±0.03%), saponins (14.90±0.05%), cyanogenic glycosides (3.27±0.02%), Tannins (0.14±0.01%) and Phytic acid (0.05±0.03%). The anti-bacterial effects of the methanolic extracts were positive for Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and negative for Pseudomonas pyrogenes and Escherichia coli. Anti-fungal activities were observed against Candida albicans, Aspergillus Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhizopus sp. Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts showed anti-fungal effects on Penicillium sp. Based on these results, the leaves of C. odorata may be useful sources antimicrobial drugs as well as food supplement.

Keynotes: Chromolaena adorata, Siam weed, anti-microbial, medicine, mineral elements, food