Phytochemical screening, proximate and mineral analysis of <i>Tithonia diversifolia</i> leaves

Abstract

Background: Tithonia diversifolia is an important medicinal plant in tropical Africa whose leaf is the major organ used alone or in combination with other plants for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments such as stomach pains, indigestion, sore throat, liver diseases and pain.
Objective: To ascertain the secondary metabolites present, carry out proximate and mineral analysis on Tithonia diversifolia leaves with the nutritional value to human and livestock.
Method: The leaves of Tithonia diversifolia were studied for their proximate and mineral composition as well as phytochemical properties. For the proximate analysis, moisture content, ash content, acid insoluble ash and sulphated ash were determined using the Association of official analytical chemists (AOAC), 2000 methods. However, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was used to carry out the mineral analysis determination.
Result: The results obtained for the mineral elements in ppm showed low mean concentrations for manganese (0.116), chromium (0.003), cadmium (0.002), zinc (0.133), Lead (0.009) and copper (0.014).The presence of phytochemicals like saponins, flavonoid, as well as the presence of tannins was observed in the leaves, however alkaloids were absent. The proximate analysis showed that the leaves contained about 19.3% moisture, total ash of 7.00%, acid insoluble ash of 0.25%, sulphated ash of 13.5% and 24.0% crude protein.
Conclusion: The findings on the phytochemical constituents, mineral composition and proximate composition of the leaves of Tithonia Diversifolia suggests that the leaves can make useful contribution to both human and animal nutrition and possesses medicinal values.