The proximate, mineral and phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum L., Melanthera scandens A. and Leea guineensis L. and their medicinal value.

ABSTRACT

The chemical composition of Ocimum gratissimum, Melanthera scanden and Leea guineensis were investigated. The proximate analysis in % showed that Melanthera scanden had the highest amount of ash content of 7.73 and moisture content 6.54 while Ocimum gratissimum had the lowest amount of ash content 5.11 and moisture content 5.04. Ocimum gratissimum had the highest amount of fat 7.75 and carbohydrate 56.16 while Melanthera scanden had the least amount of fat 6.87 and carbohydrate 50.0. Leea guineensis had the highest amount of crude protein 19.3 while Melanthera scanden had the highest amount of crude fibre 12.66. The mineral analysis in mg/100g indicated that the leaves contained calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. The Phytochemical analysis of the plants showed that the three medicinal plants contained alkaloid, tannins, saponins, steroid, phlobatannin/ terpenoid, flavonoid cardiac glycoside, while phlobatanin was not found in Melanthera scanden. The medicinal plants also contained antinutrient phytin phosphorus, oxalate, phytic acid and polyphenol.