Proximate and Phytochemical Profile of <i>Sansevieria liberica</i> Gérôme and Labroy

Abstract

The proximate and phytochemical composition of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy leaves was investigated. The proximate composition includes moisture (56.10%), crude fibre (5.88% wet weight and 13.39% dry weight), total carbohydrate (4.09% wet weight and 9.32% dry weight), crude protein (21.88% wet weight and 49.84% dry weight), total ash (2.95% wet weight and 6.72% dry weight), crude lipid (0.10% wet weight and 0.23% dry weight) and caloric value (104.78% wet weight and 238.68% dry weight). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids (catechins and flavones), phytates, saponins and tannins; with 0.72% wet weight and 1.64% dry weight carotenoids, 2.20% wet weight and 5.01% dry weight phytates, 0.40% wet weight and 0.91% dry weight saponins, and 0.01% wet weight and 0.02% dry weight tannins. This result support the medicinal use of the plant, and in addition, unveils the possibility of its acting as a potential source of food nutrients and nutraceuticals.