Phytochemical and nutritional composition of crude powder and ethanol extract of annona muricata leaves

Abstract

Annona muricata (Soursop) is a tropical plant used in folk medicine in the treatment of different diseases and infections. In the present study, we investigated the phytochemical constituents and nutritional composition of Annona muricata leaves. Phytochemical screening was performed on the ethanol leaf extract of A. muricata using standard procedures. Proximate and mineral content of the leaves were also analysed. The result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins, phytosterols, and saponins while anthraquinones and reducing sugars were absent. The quantitative evaluation showed that the ethanol leaf extract contains a high amount of phenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins, phenolics, and flavonoids. The leaves of Annona muricata were found to be rich in carbohydrate (27.81%), fat (21.19%), and moisture (21.15%). The total protein (12.69%) was considered to be of moderate value, while the ash (8.67%) and crude fibre (8.50%) were lesser. Minerals such as calcium (72.52 ppm), potassium (49.92 ppm), sodium (30.33 ppm), iron (25.8 ppm), magnesium (18.52 ppm), phosphorus (10.87 ppm) and zinc (2.63 ppm) were also detected. The result of this study shows that the leaves of A. muricata are rich sources of secondary active compounds of possible therapeutic value. It is also a good source of essential and non-essential nutrient required for metabolic processes in the body.