PROXIMATE, PHYTO-MINERALS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF TETRACARPIDIUM CONOPHORUM LEAVES HARVESTED FROM THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF NIGERIA: POTENTIAL BENEFIT IN POULTRY PRODUCTION

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the proximate , phytochemistry and antioxidant potentials embedded in Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf extracts (TCLE) as a potential herbal supplement to boost cockerel performance under tropical conditions.The antioxidant potential, phytochemical screening and qualitative analysis of TCLE was evaluated. Results showed that the crude protein, moisture, ash and crude fibre content of TCLE are low, while the carbohydrate content is high. Also TCL contains essential compounds such as saponin, tannin, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, coumarins, triterpenes, terpenoids and fixed oils, while some compounds were not present. The alkaloid, flavonoids, phenolic terpenoids and steroids content of TCL are increased in comparison to values recorded in some past studies. TLC contain low amount of hydrogen peroxide (H202) and higher scavenging potential at 50 Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). T. conophorum leaves has an appreciable quantity of minerals needed by animals for proper growth and development. The highest observable mineral is sodium (8.20ppm), while phosphorus had the least value (0.28 ppm). The results showed that the percent inhibition at 50mg/ml had the highest value 106.07, while the percent inhibition at 10m g/ml had the lowest value of 39.42. In conclusion, TLCE could be a potential herbal supplements to improve the performance of cockerels.