ABSTRACT
The
leaves of Gnetum africanum were studied for their proximate (nutrient),
mineral (elemental) and phytochemical constituents. All analyses were done
using standard analytical procedures and the results obtained showed a moisture
content, crude protein, ash content, crude fibre, crude lipids and carbohydrates
of 10.9%, 20.12%, 6.70%, 7.10%, 2.79% and 52.39% respectively. The mineral
(elemental) analysis showed the presence of sodium, magnessium, calcium, iron,
zinc, manganesse, potassium and copper in that order of decreasing concentration
while notably absent was chromium and lead in the examined leaves. The phytochemicals
detected in the leaves using various selected solvents were alkaloids, saponins,
glycosides and tannins with various concentrations while flavonoids, phenols
and steroids were totally absent. From the results of the aforementioned
analyses, it could be concluded that the leaves of Gnetum africanum contain some beneficial nutrients, mineral elements and secondary metabolites
justifying the medicinal status and possible potency of the plant part.