Evaluation of the Phytochemical and Nutritional Profiles of Cnidoscolus chayamansa (Mc Vaugh) Leaf Collected in Jos, North Central, Nigeria

Background: Plants could either be ornamental, medicinal, as well as nutritional, hence there has been a high level of reliance on plants as a whole by both man and animals for survival.

Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the Phytochemical contents and Nutritional Profiles of Cnidoscolus chayamansa Leaf Collected in Jos, North Central, Nigeria.

Study Duration: This study was conducted on 30th June, 2019 at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.

Methodology: The proximate and phytochemical compositions were investigated in accordance with standard procedures. Mineral concentrations were determined by using flame photometer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, calorimetry. Crude protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method and amino acid profile were analyzed using Technicon sequential Multi-Sample Amino Acid Analyzer (TSM).

Results: The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, tanins, saponins, terpenes and steroids, balsam and phenol with the absence of cardiac glycosides, and resin. The proximate analysis showed high carbohydrate (27.48±0.02), crude fibre (25.18±0.02) and protein (18.63±0.01), moderate concentration of moisture content (12.62±0.00) and ashes content (11.68±0.01), low concentration of crude lipid (4.40±0.01). The minerals detected were calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, cobalt, sulphur, aluminium, zinc, molybdenum, and Phosphorus. Seventeen amino acids were analysed; nine essential amino acids namely; Leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, trptophane, valine, threonine, arginine, methionine and histidine and Eight non-essential amino acids namely; proline, tyrosine, cysteine, alanine, glutamate, gycine, serine and aspartic. Glutamic and leucine acids were found in higher concentration as 10.14+ 0.016 and 8.99+ 0.000 respectively.

Conclusion: This investigation shows that Cnidoscolus chayamansa leaf from Jos, Nigeria contains high medicinal and nutritional compositions which could be exploited for the treatment of diseases as well as nutritional supplements.