Phytochemical, vitamin and mineral compositions of ethanol Leaf-Extract of Albizia Ferruginea and its Proximate Composition

Abstract

This study investigated phytochemical, vitamin and mineral compositions of ethanol leaf-extract of Albizia ferruginea and its proximate composition using standard analytical methods. The results showed the following order of occurrence of phytochemicals: phenols > flavonoids > terpenoids > glycosides >alkaloids >saponins> steroids and tannins. The composition (%) of carbohydrate, protein, moisture, fat, ash and fibre were64.76 ± 2.08, 20.36 ± 1.24, 6.46 ± 1.10,5.24 ± 0.98,2.13 ± 0.36and 1.05 ± 0.10respectively. The results also recorded the vitamin composition in the following order of occurrence: thiamine > riboflavin > ascorbic acid > phylloquinone > niacin > folic acid and retinol while minerals and their concentrations (mg/100g) were Fe (1.42± 0.07), Zn (1.36± 0.02), Mg (0.75± 0.03), P (0.67± 0.03), Ca (0.44± 0.02), K (0.43± 0.03)and Na (0.36± 0.04).Albiziaferruginea leaves had high contents of phenol, thiamine, carbohydrate and Fe which may justify both its nutritional and ethno-medicinal benefits to human health, the leaves seem to have good nutritive, vitamin and suitable mineral element values necessary to maintain good health.