PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY AND NUTRITIVE POTENTIAL OF AFROFRITOMIA SYLEVESTRIS LEAF

Abstract

Afrofritomia sylvestris leaf contains alkaloids, flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides, saponins, tannins, steroids and terpenes. The proximate composition and contents of the leaf showed 24.5% ash, 6.94% crude protein, 2.75% crude fibre and 8.5% carbohydrate while the mineral elements composition revealed high contents of Na+ (11990mg/100g), Ca++(95.8mg/100g), K+ (69.23mg/100g) and Mg++(71.00mg/100g). It also contains low levels of vitamins A and C. The anti-nutritive components of the leaf were very low and negligible except in total and soluble oxalates contents. The study has established A. sylvestris leaf as a good source of mineral elements. In the southeastern Nigeria, rural inhabitants supplement their leafy needs with the “hunters weed” which is often added to soup.


Key Words: Afrofritomia sylvestris, Phytochemistry, Nutritive values


[Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.6 2002: 42-44]