Proximate and Phytochemical Profile of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy

Abstract

The proximate and phytochemical composition of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy leaves was investigated. The proximate composition includes moisture (56.10%), crude fibre (5.88% wet weight and 13.39% dry weight), total carbohydrate (4.09% wet weight and 9.32% dry weight), crude protein (21.88% wet weight and 49.84% dry weight), total ash (2.95% wet weight and 6.72% dry weight), crude lipid (0.10% wet weight and 0.23% dry weight) and caloric value (104.78% wet weight and 238.68% dry weight). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids (catechins and flavones), phytates, saponins and tannins; with 0.72% wet weight and 1.64% dry weight carotenoids, 2.20% wet weight and 5.01% dry weight phytates, 0.40% wet weight and 0.91% dry weight saponins, and 0.01% wet weight and 0.02% dry weight tannins. This result support the medicinal use of the plant, and in addition, unveils the possibility of its acting as a potential source of food nutrients and nutraceuticals.