Proximate, mineral, and vitamin composition of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev

Abstract

Background and aims: The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional composition of Anthocleista djalonensis as an important medicinal plant used to manage many diseases. Methods: The proximate features, mineral content, and vitamin composition in A. djalonensis leaves were examined according to the standard analytical methods. Proximate composition includes crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrates, moisture content, and ash content, while minerals such as macro-elements (phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium,) and micro-elements (iron, manganese, copper, zinc) were determined using flame photometer and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The evaluated vitamin composition includes vitamin A, C, E, and B12. Results: The results obtained for proximate composition showed that moisture content had the highest amount (59.71 g/100g), followed by crude protein (23.41 g/100g), crude fibre (9.51 g/100g), carbohydrate (4.72 g/100g), ash content (1.67 g/100g), and crude fat (1.04 g/100g). Mineral content showed that for macro elements, potassium had the highest amount (0.59%), followed by calcium (0.54%), magnesium (0.36%), and phosphorus (0.25%), while the least value was recorded for sodium (0.06%). Forthe micro-elements, the highest detected amount was for iron (0.175%), while copper had the least value (0.004%). The result indicated for vitamins showed that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (3.58 mg/100g) had the highest concentration, followed by retinol (vitamin A) (1.67 mg/100g) and cobalamin (vitamin B12) (1.02 mg/100g), while tocopherol (vitamin E) (0.49 mg/100g) had the least concentration. Conclusion: The result indicated that A. djalonensis has nutrients and vitamins which could be used to enrich our food so as to augment the shortage of essential minerals and vitamins in our body.

Keywords

• anthocleista djalonensis
• proximate
• mineral
• vitamin
• nutritional