Proximate, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis of <i>Crescentia cujete</i> L. leaves

Abstract

Background: One of the uses of Crescentia cujete leaves is in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which necessitated the evaluation of its chemical composition.Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the chemical composition of C. cujete leaves.Setting: Fresh, mature leaves were harvested from the Herbal Garden, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho Hill, Ibadan, Nigeria. The plant samples were identified at Forest Herbarium, Ibadan, Nigeria, sorted to eliminate extraneous matter and then air-dried on a cabinet dryer for five days at ambient temperature and oven-dried at 40°C for five minutes. The dried leaves were milled to powder using a medium-sized milling machine and stored in an air-tight container until needed for analysis.Methods: The proximate composition, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis were determined using standard analytic methods. Minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, manganese and magnesium were determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer; sodium and potassium by the flame photometer and phosphorus by the spectrophotometer.Results: The proximate analysis results revealed that the samples contained carbohydrate (40.46%), crude protein (16.15%), crude fibre (19.71%), crude fat (2.91%), ash (9.77%) and moisture (11.03%), while the phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids. The mineral compositions (mg/g) decreased in the order Ca (6.0) &gt; K (5.0) &gt; Mg (2.2) &gt; P (1.5) &gt; Na (0.2) &gt; Fe = Zn (0.6) &gt; Cu = Mn (0.03).Conclusion: These results conceivably indicate that C. cujete is a good source of essential minerals and phyto-nutrients which possess strong pharmacological activities, providing scientific credence for its therapeutic usage in folklore medicine.

Proximate Composition, Phytochemical and Mineral Analysis of the Fruits of Ficus Capensis

“…Foods with low moisture content can stay longer. The ash content of the fruit of F. capensis was lower compared with the value for F. capensis leaves and F. capensis bark as reported by Uzoekwe et al, (2013) but the values were comparable to that of the leaves of C. cujete (Olaniyi et al, 2018) and higher than the values for U.trinervis and H. myriantha respectively (Andzouana and Mombouli, 2012). Ash content is a reflection of the amount of mineral elements and organic matter present in the fruit.…”

Evaluation of nutritional value ofAsystasia mysorensisandSesamum angustifoliaand their potential contribution to human health

“…The powdered plant samples were analyzed for moisture content, protein, fat, and ash content by methods adopted from literature, while carbohydrate content was determined by difference (100−[% moisture + % protein + % fat + % ash + % fiber]) (Olaniyi, Lawal, & Olaniyi, ; Rangani, Kumari, Patel, Brahmbhatt, & Parida, ; Thangaraj, ).…”

“…The powdered plant samples were analyzed for moisture content, protein, fat, and ash content by methods adopted from literature, (Olaniyi, Lawal, & Olaniyi, 2018;Rangani, Kumari, Patel, Brahmbhatt, & Parida, 2019;Thangaraj, 2016).…”

Anti-nutritional Composition, Heavy Metal Content and Mineral Bioavailability of Red Tree Vine (Leea guineensis G. Don) Fruits

“…However, the presence of high levels of phytates and oxalates in human diets are therefore undesirable. Hence, it is therefore recommended that L. guineensis fruits should be subjected to processing method such as de-pulping soaking and roasting before consumption which have been reported to drastically reduce the anti-nutrients to a safe level [7]. In contrast, there is evidence that dietary phytate at low level may have health promoting role as an antioxidant, anti-carcinogens and may play an important role in keeping hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in check [43].…”

“…The nutritional value and antinutrient content of wild edible fruits have not been given much attention they deserved such that massive volume of these wild fruits are often wasted or eaten by wild animals. However, a possible way of achieving nutrition security is through careful exploitation and utilization of available, cheap nourishing wild edible fruits like Leea guineensis [7]. Anti-nutrients have been described as substances that impair or inhibit important metabolic pathways especially digestion of some essential nutrients.…”