EVALUATION OF PROXIMATE, MINERAL COMPOSITION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the phytobiotic potentials of Gongronema latifolia which is an indigenous medicinal plant in some African countries. To achieve this an evaluation into the proximate, vitamins, mineral elements and phytochemical compositions of the leaf was carried out using quantitative standard methods. G. latifolium showed high crude protein and fat contents but low in fibre, showed traces of some micro minerals such as Ma, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cu and Cr but selenium was not detected. It contained high Vit. A and Vit. C while others were low but present in the plant. Alkaloids, Flavonoids and lycopen were predominant in the plant while other phytochemical assesed were in trace amount. However Haemagglutin was not detected. Conclusions made from the study are: G. latifolium possess the phytochemicals that could provide livestocks with nutrients needed for growth and development, health improvement, as well as antioxidants benefits.