PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY AND NUTRITIVE POTENTIAL OF <i>AFROFRITOMIA SYLEVESTRIS</i> LEAF

Abstract

Afrofritomia sylvestris leaf contains alkaloids, flavonoids, cyanogenic glycosides, saponins, tannins, steroids and terpenes. The proximate composition and contents of the leaf showed 24.5% ash, 6.94% crude protein, 2.75% crude fibre and 8.5% carbohydrate while the mineral elements composition revealed high contents of Na+ (11990mg/100g), Ca++(95.8mg/100g), K+ (69.23mg/100g) and Mg++(71.00mg/100g). It also contains low levels of vitamins A and C. The anti-nutritive components of the leaf were very low and negligible except in total and soluble oxalates contents. The study has established A. sylvestris leaf as a good source of mineral elements. In the southeastern Nigeria, rural inhabitants supplement their leafy needs with the “hunters weed” which is often added to soup.


Key Words: Afrofritomia sylvestris, Phytochemistry, Nutritive values


[Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.6 2002: 42-44]