Nutritive and Non-nutritive Bioactive Components of Limonia acidissima Leaves
K. T. Nwauche *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
G. M. Ugwu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
E. P. Berezi
Department of Chemistry, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Studies have clearly shown the medicinal importance of plant products by identifying specific nutrients and phytochemicals and linking them to specific health benefits. Because the leaves of Limonia acidissima are used in herbal medicine, the nutritive and non-nutritive bioactive components of the aqueous extract of these leaves were investigated using standard procedures. The proximate compositions of the dry powdered and fresh leaves samples were found to be 4.20% ash content, 7.05% fibre and 3.30% fat. The moisture, protein content and carbohydrate content were also found to be 58.605%, 7.35% and 19.495% respectively. Qualitative phytochemical analysis on the leaf samples revealed the presence of ten phytochemicals with the following in low concentration; Alkaloid, Saponin, Cardiac glycoside, Phenols, Steroids, Terpenoids and Proteins while Flavonoids were observed to be in high concentration. Limonia acidissima can be used as both a medicinal plant and a food.
Keywords: Plants, Limonia acidissima, phytochemicals, proximate analysis, aqueous extract