ABSTRACT
Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Excell (Euphobiaceae) is a popular member of genus “Phyllanthus” in Africa. The use of herbal remedies has been largely employed for the management and treatment of some health challenges and diseased conditions which has led to the experiment on Phyllanthus muellerianus leaves. The objective of the study is to evaluate the nutritional characteristics which includes the mineral content, proximate, as well as the phytochemicals present in the leaves of this plant. The plant part studied was examined for the minerals, proximate and phytochemical components present in them using standard laboratory techniques. Screening of the elemental content using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer showed the presence of Magnesium (Mg) (3157.50 mg/kg), Manganese (Mn) (189.50 mg/kg), Iron (Fe) (122.00 mg/kg), Copper (Cu) (10.30 mg/kg), Zinc (Zn) (28.50 mg/kg), however, elements Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co) and toxic elements Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were found absent. Proximate components such as moisture content (9.58%), fat (2.40%), crude protein (23.42%), crude fibre (13.39%) and ash (7.67%) were also found present. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids while cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and steroids were found absent. The results obtained from this study indicates that there are essential nutritional and phytochemical components in the leaves which are beneficial and could complement protein and mineral deficiencies and which could also serve as a lead in the quality and safety assurance of this plant.
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