PHYTOCHEMICAL, TRACE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA LEAVES
This study investigated the phytochemicals, trace and mineral contents of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina obtained from Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. The mineral analysis was done using Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis method while phytochemical composition was determined using standard methods. The results of the phytochemicals analyses are as follows: saponins (2.50%), alkaloids (1.03%), flavonoids (11.50%), tannins (0.17%), ascorbic acids (46.64mg/100g), beta-carotene (9.05mg/100g), and reducing sugars (45.60%) while the mineral analysis reveals the following: sodium (483.06mg/kg), potassium (627.98mg/kg), magnesium (6,813mg/kg), calcium (12641.76mg/kg), zinc (14.23mg/kg), iron (322mg/kg), phosphate (33.25mg/kg), copper (19.50mg/kg), chromium (3.75mg/kg), and cadmium (4.99mg/kg). Our findings provides evidence that leaves of Vernonia amygdalina contain medicinally important bioactive compounds, shows its inert potentials for use as possible supplement in animal nutrition and it justifies their use in traditional medicines for the treatment of different diseases