Evaluation of chemical composition of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina

Abstract

The leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina were analyzed for their chemical composition, minerals and vitamins. The results obtained from the analysis of the two plants were compared. The results revealed the presence of bioactive constituents comprising alkaloids (1.90 to 2.68 mg/100 g), tannins (0.04 to 0.07 mg/100g), saponins (0.06 to 2.94 mg/100 g), flavonoids (1.88 to 2.98 mg/100 g) and phenols (0.03 to 0.07 mg/100g). These plants contained ascorbic acid (241.06 to 310.62 mg/100 g), niacin (0.29 to 0.80 mg/100 g), riboflavin (0.08 to 0.09 mg/100 g) and thiamine (0.03 to 0.08 mg/100 g). These plants are good sources of minerals such as Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe and Zn. The importance of these chemical constituents with respect to their roles in ethnomedicine in Nigeria was also discussed.