Phytochemical, Proximate and Mineral Composition of Leaf Extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. from Nsukka, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The phytochemical constituents aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. were assessed and compared. The mineral and proximate analyses were done on the whole leaf extract. The result of the qualitative phytochemical constituents of both leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed presence of all the tested phytochemicals (flavonoids, anthraquinone, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanin, tannins and carotenoids) with water extracting more of the phytochemicals. Results showed the presence of iron (0.03g/100g), calcium (2.09g/100g), magnesium (0.48g/100g), potassium (1.62g/100g), phosphorus (0.04g/100g), zinc (0.005g/100g), copper (0.01g/100g) and sulphur (0.85g/100g). Proximate analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate (57.01%), protein (18.92%), fats (2.74%), fibre (9.31%), moisture (4.09%) and ash (7.95%). The results from this study prove the extensive use of the leaves of this plant in ethnomedicine and its potentials in drug formulation.