Phytochemical analysis, nutrients and mineral composition of Combretum platypterum Aqueous leaf extract

Abstract

The Phytochemical, mineral and proximate evaluation of Combretum platypterum leaves were carried out because of its ethno medicinal uses. Aqueous leaf extract of the plant were analysed using standard methods. The phytochemical composition ( quantitative ) shows that it contains 1.344 ± 0.05% saponin, 0.957 ± 0.02% phenol, 0.533 ± 0.04% tannin, 0.527 ± 0.09% steroids, 0.356 ± 0.02% alkaloids, 0.0667 ± 0.01% flavonoids and 0.013 ± 0.02% glycoside. The proximate analysis of the leaves showed that Combretum platypterum is very rich in carbohydrates 46.56 ± 0.02%, proteins 28.44 ± 0.6, fats 10 ± 0.0 %, fibre 1.25 ± 0.0%, ash 9.5 ± 0.2%, and has a moisture content of 4.25 ± 0.3%. The minerals obtained includes; 18.4 ± 0.02 mg/kg phosphorous, 10 ± 0.1mg/kg magnesium, 5.3 ± 0.0mg/kg iron, 4.8 ± 0.2mg/kg calcium, 0.3 ± 0.0mg/kg sodium, 0.07 ± 0.0mg/kg zinc, 0.06 ± 0.02mg/kg manganese and 0.11 ± 0.0mg/kg copper. Combretum platypterum from this study, shows that it contains nutrients, rich in minerals and phytochemicals, which if processed adequately, will provide nutritional, chemo protective and medicinal benefits to users.