PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF SOME GREEN LEAFY

VEGETABLES FOUND IN NIGERIA.

MUSTAPHA SAMSON OLUWAKAYODE

07CP05691
Supervised by,
DR AFOLABI, I.S
MAY, 2011.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION.
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY.
This work is aimed at quantitatively
evaluating the phytochemical
contents of thirteen different leafy
vegetables found in Nigeria, and to
determine their use either for
nutritional purposes or medicinal
purpose.
INTRODUCTION
Vegetables are those herbaceous plants whose part or parts are eaten as
supporting food or main dishes that may be aromatic, bitter or tasteless
(Edema,1987). Vegetables contain a great variety of other Phytochemicals, some
of which have been claimed to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
and anti-carcinogenic properties (Gruda, 2005; Steinmetz and Potter 1996).

Phytochemicals are natural bioactive compounds found in plants, including the

medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers, leaves, roots and fibres, and they act
as a defence system against diseases, or more accurately protect plants against
diseases and animals (Krishnaiah et al., 2009).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of samples and Identification- Tecoma stans,
Vernonia amygdalina, Cassia fistula, Solenostenum
monostachyus and Ipomea involucrata were all gotten from the
grounds of Covenant university, Ota, Ogun state.
Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum gratssium from Ojo Barracks
Ojo, Lagos state. Murraya Koenigii, Talinum triangulare, Ficus
exasperate from Oju ore market Ota, Ogun state. Amaranthus
viridis from Oshodi market Lagos sate. Citrullus colocynthis
from farm village iyana oba, Lagos state. And Celosia argentea
from Usada market Ota, Ogun State. They were identified by
Botanist Mr Conrad omohinmin of Department of Applied
Biology and Biotechnology Covenant University Ota, Nigeria.
And confirmed by the Herbarium of Forest research institute
Ibadan, Nigeria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
CONTD.
Preparation of samples- The leaves were
carefully rinsed with tap water, and dead, unfit
leaves were removed together with insect larvae
from the twigs/branches. Fresh viable leaves
were separated from the twigs and were dried
on nylon in the laboratory at room temperature
25±1ºc for a week (168hrs). The dried leaves
were then blended and stored in an air tight
container. then experimental analysis began.
DESIGN OF STUDY
METHODOLOGY
 The Phytochemical contents of the various
leaves was tested using various procedures
such as:
 Phytate determination by Reddy and love
(1999).
 Tannins determination by Nkafamiya and
Manji (2007).
 Alkaloids Determination by Harborne
(1973).
 Oxalate determination by Agbede (2004).
 Saponnin determination by Obadoni and
Ochuko (2001).
 RESULTS
Common name Scientific Phytate Oxalate (mg/g Alkaloids (%) Tannins (mg) Saponnins
S/N name (mg) Fresh/wt.) (%)

Green amaranth Amaranthus 4.799 2.251 ±0.000 4.945 ±0.413 5.886 ±0.100 0.400 ±0.000
1. viridis (C) ±0.291
Curry leaf Murraya 11.344 ±1.385 0.720 ±0.074 9.507 ±4.062 5.367 ±0.109 0.675 ±0.035
2. koenigii (C)
Scent leaf Ocimum 22.979 1.216 ±0.052 4.254 ±1.407 5.415 ±0.201 0.525 ±0.035
3. gratssimum ±0.582
(C)
Water leaf Talinum 5.817 ±0.475 1.103 ±0.045 12.139 ±4.508 5.172 ±0.036 0.125 ±0.035
4. triangulare(C)
Spinach Celosia 5.672 ±0.557 2.814 ±0.045 7.259 ±1.539 7.150 ±0.053 1.650 ±0.071
5. argentea (C)
Bitter leaf Vernonia 21.961 1.103 ±0.045 7.259 ±3.100 6.426 ±0.045 1.250 ±0.000
6. amygdalina ±0.291
(C)
Sand paper leaf Ficus 12.944 ±0.557 1.508 ±0.045 7.349 ±3.069 5.464 ±0.103 1.250 ±0.071
7. exasperate(E)
Lemon grass Cymbopogon 5.381 ±0.732 1.711 ±0.000 6.570 ±0.938 6.998 ±0.042 0.925 ±0.035
8. citrates(E)
Golden shower Cassia 6.835 2.701 ±0.000 6.091 ±0.822 6.447 ±0.054 1.150 ±0.000
9. fistula(E) ±0.291
Yellow thrumpet Tecoma 8.290 ±1.101 4.412 ±0.074 8.116 ±2.112 5.318 ±0.159 4.800 ±0.000
10. bush stans(E)

Melon leaf Citrullus 18.325 ±2.253 1.598 ±0.086 13.077 ± 5.431 5.939 ±0.112 1.200 ±0.141
11. colocynthis(E)
Catrip Solenostenum 13.525 ±0.291 0.968 ±0.086 7.936 ±2.98 5.443 ±0.065 1.150 ±0.000
12. monostachyus
(E)

Dutchman’s pipe Ipomea 19.343 ±0.291 1.463 ±0.0450 7.668 ±2.669 7.184 ±0.063 0.900 ±0.071
13. involucrata(E)
 RESULTS CONTD…
Saponnins
Cassia fistula, Solenostenum monostachyus
(P.Beauv)., Ipomea involucrata , Tecoma stans (L)
H.B.&K., Cymbopogon citratus, Citrullus colocynthis,
Vernonia amygdalina Ficus exasperate, were
significantly high (P<0.05) in saponnins compared
with that of the food and nutritionals. Tecoma stans
(L) H.B.&K., and Celosia argentea, were also
significantly high (P<0.05) compared to that of the
medicinal leaves. Murraya koenigii, Talinum
triagulare, Amaranthus viridis, and Ocimum
gratssimum,were significantly low (P<0.05) in
saponnins compared to that of medicinal leaves.
 RESULTS CONTD…
Tannins
Ipomea involucrata, Cassia fistula, Celosia
argentea, Cymbopogon citratus, Vernonia
amygdalina, and Citrullus colocynthis,were
significantly high (P<0.05) in tannins compared
with the nutritionals. Ipomea Involucrata was
additionally significantly high (P<0.05) in tannins
compared to that of the medicinal leaves.
However, water leaf was significantly low (P<0.05)
in tannins compared to that of the medicinal
leaves.
RESULTS CONTD…

Alkaloids
No significant differences
(P>0.05) in alkaloids contents of
all the leafy vegetables compared
to both the nutritionals and the
medicinal leaves.
RESULTS CONTD…

Oxalate
Celosia argentea, Cassia fistula, Tecoma stans (L)
H.B.&K. were significantly higher (P<0.05) in
oxalate levels compared to that of both nutritional
and medicinal leaves. Amaranthus was however
found to be higher (P<0.05) in oxalate levels
compared to that of medicinal leaves. Cassia
fistula, Ipomea Involucrata, Solenostenum
monostachyus (P.Beauv) Brig., Ocimum
gratssimum and curry leaf (including bitter leaf )
were significantly low (P<0.05) in oxalate levels
compared to that of the medicinal leaves.
RESULTS CONTD…
Phytate
Ipomea Involucrata, Citrullus colocynthis, Ocimum
gratssimum, and Vernonia amygdalina, were
significantly higher (P<0.05) in phytate levels
compared to both food and nutritionals, and
medicinal leaves. Solenostenum monostachyus
(P.Beauv) Brig., (in addition to Ficus exasperate
and Murraya koenigii) were significantly high in
phytate contents compared to the food and
nutritionals.
DISCUSSION
The Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of such
bioactive substances like tannins, Oxalate, saponins, alkaloids
and Phytate (in the table above). The medicinal properties of
these component phytocompounds have been reported by (Banso
and Adeyemo, 2007). These phytochemicals are most likely
responsible for the medicinal or nutritional activity of the various
plants. The presence of saponins, tannins, in the tested plant’s is
an indication that the plant is of pharmacological importance
(Adebayo and Ishola, 2009b).Tannins have been reported to
possess antioxidant activity (Gil et al., 2000). The Phytate
analysis results shows that Ipomea involucrata, solenostenum
monostachyus, and Citrullus colocynthis. May have the potential
capability of being used as health benefits. Phytate had been
reported to possessed antioxidant activity (Coelho, et al., 2008).
Also (Sonibare et al., 2006), reported that young leaves Ficus
exasperata can be used as remedy for some abdominal ailments.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Cassia fistula, Tecoma
stans, and Cymbopogon citratus
shows that they have the potential for
medicinal uses. Also Amaranthus
viridis, is recommended for nutritional
use. while Celosia argentea and
others are recommended for both
nutritional and medicinal use.
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