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International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review
29(9): 108-112, 2020; Article no.IJBCRR.62896
ISSN: 2231-086X, NLM ID: 101654445
Proximate, Mineral Composition and Phytochemical
Screening of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Alafia barteri
Oliv. (Apocynaceae)
I. O. Adefisan
1
, O. A. T. Ebuehi
1*
and O. S. Odesanmi
1
1
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Authors’ contributions
This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author IOA performed the laboratory
work, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. Author OATE designed and supervised the
experiments, critically reviewed and edited the manuscript. Author OSO designed and supervised the
experiments. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/IJBCRR/2020/v29i930230
Editor(s):
(1) Dr. Chunying Li, Georgia State University, USA.
Reviewers:
(1)
Kasta Gurning, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Senior, Indonesia.
(2)
Nitu Trehan, Punjabi University, India.
Complete Peer review History:
http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/62896
Received 15 September 2020
Accepted 21 November 2020
Published 10 December 2020
ABSTRACT
Alafia barteri leaves are valued for its efficacy in the traditional medicine system in Nigeria. It has
been used over the years for the treatment of various diseases some of which include malaria,
sickle cell anaemia, and eye infections. This has necessitated the evaluation of its chemical
composition to ensure its safety for human use. This study was undertaken to evaluate the
phytochemical constituents, proximate and elemental composition of Alafia barteri leaf. The
phytochemicals and proximate analyses were carried out using standard methods. The mineral
elements were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The proximate analysis of the
leaves showed it contained moisture 8.6%, crude fibre 48.29%, protein 15.84%, carbohydrate
13.13%, lipids 7.23% and ash 6.75%. The mineral analysis of the leaves revealed the presence of
the following minerals: calcium (96.2 mg/100 g), manganese (74.8 mg/100 g), iron (46.2 mg/100 g),
magnesium (31.05 mg/100 g), potassium (3.3 mg/ 100 g), sodium (2.9 mg/100 g). The
phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, anthraquinones,
phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides and steroids. The study revealed the leaves of Alafia barteri to
be a potential source of minerals and nutrients needed for human nutrition.
Original Research Article
Adefisan et al.; IJBCRR, 29(9): 108-112, 2020; Article no.IJBCRR.62896
109
Keywords: Alafia barteri; leaves; minerals; proximate composition; phytochemicals.
1. INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants have been identified as plants
whose roots, stems, leaves and seeds possess
therapeutic properties. Many plants that are used
in traditional medicine to alleviate symptoms of
illnesses have been found to possess
phytochemicals. The use of herbs and search for
drugs and dietary supplements derived from
plants have accelerated in recent years because
medicinal plants are known to contain some
chemical substances which can be used for
treatment purposes or to produce drugs [1,2].
Medicinal plants play vital roles in the health of
individuals, in fact most modern drugs are
derived from them. Knowledge of the chemical
components of plants may help in further
development of new drugs to treat different
diseases, hence this has necessitated a study on
the phytochemicals, nutrients and minerals
present in Alafia barteri leaves [2,3].
Alafia barteri Olive, of the family Apocynaceae, is
a climbing shrub distributed widely in the tropics.
It is valued for its efficacy in the traditional
medicine system in Nigeria and other African
countries, as an anti-inflammatory and fever
remedy. The infusion of the leaves and twining
stem are used for the treatment of inflammation
and fever [4,5,6]. The extracts of the leaves were
found to have antibacterial and antifungal
activities [5]. The aqueous leaf extract was
reported to display potent anti-plasmodial activity
[6]. In South-Western Nigeria (Lagos), Alafia
barteri has been used for the treatment of
malaria [7]. In addition, the stem and root
decoctions of Alafia barteri are used for treating
rheumatic pains, toothache, eye infection and
sickle-cell anaemia [7].
There is no report on the proximate and
elemental analyses of the leaf extract of Alafia
barteri about its safety for human use, and do not
contain some harmful elements. Therefore the
present is to determine the proximate, mineral
composition and phytochemical screening of
aqueous leaf extract of Alafia barteri.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Collection of Plant Material
Fresh leaves of Alafia barteri were collected from
Olokomeji forest, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Botanical identification and authentication was
done at the Department of Botany, University of
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria, where a voucher
specimen was deposited. The leaves were
separated from the stalks, washed and air dried
for two weeks. They were ground into powdered
samples which were stored in clean air tight
containers at ambient temperature until when
needed for use.
2.1.1 Preparation of leaf extracts
400 g of the powder was soaked in 10L of
distilled water for 72hours after which the
preparation was filtered using the W hatman filter
paper No. 1. The filtrate was evaporated in a
rotary evaporator attached to a thermos-chiller
(Buchi 700®, Recirculation chiller) at a
temperature of 40°C. The residue was freeze-
dried to obtain a deep-brown colour.
2.1.2 Proximate and mineral analyses of leaf
extracts
The proximate analyses were carried out in
duplicates and the results obtained were the
average values. The estimation of the various
food parameters in Alafia barteri leaves plant
was carried out using the methods of AOAC [8].
Mineral analysis was carried out after acid
digestion of 2g of the grounded leaves sample
with 10ml of a mixture of nitric acid and
perchloric acid (2:1 v/v) until a clear solution was
obtained. The digest was allowed to cool and
then transferred into a 100ml standard flask and
made up to mark with de-ionized water. The
mineral elements were analyzed with atomic
absorption spectrophotometer (GBC AvantaVer
2.02 Model, Australia) equipped with air-
acetylene flame. Sodium and Potassium were
determined using a flame photometer
(Gallenkamp flame analyzer, UK).
2.1.3 Phytochemical screening of leaf
extracts
The phytochemical screening was carried out on
the aqueous plant extract using the methods
described by Sofowora [9].
2.2 Statistical Analysis
Results were expressed as the mean ± standard
deviation in triplicate determinations. The data
was analysed using Student’s t-test. P< 0.05 was
considered significant.
Adefisan et al.; IJBCRR, 29(9): 108-112, 2020; Article no.IJBCRR.62896
110
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The proximate composition of Alafia barteri
leaves is presented in Table1.The results show
that it contain carbohydrate (13.13%), crude
protein (15.84%), ash (6.75%), crude fibre
(48.29%), lipids (7.23%) and moisture (8.76%).
Crude fibre has the highest value, while ash had
the least. The dietary fibre can lower serum
cholesterol level, risk of coronary heart disease,
hypertension, constipation, diabetes, colon and
breast cancer [10,11].
Crude lipids are the principal sources of energy
but should not be more than 30 calories so as to
avoid obesity and other related diseases. A diet
providing 1-2% of its caloric energy as fat is said
to be sufficient in human beings as excess for
consumption is implicated in certain
cardiovascular disorders for such as
atherosclerosis, cancer and aging [12,13].
The ash content of 6.75% indicates that the
leaves contain reasonable amount of mineral
elements. The low moisture content of the leaves
would hinder the growth of microorganism and
storage life would be high [14].
Several links between diet and arthritis have
been discovered through research. A healthy diet
will help decrease strain on joints by keeping a
healthy weight [15,16]. Recent research shows
that crude fibre now appears to decrease C-
reactive proteins (an indicator of inflammation
found in the blood of arthritic patients)
[12,17,18,19]. Its low lipid content suggests it
could lower cholesterol levels. Ash was found to
have the lowest concentration in the plant leaf
extract.
Minerals are inorganic substances which play
important body roles like structural formation of
bones and teeth, maintaining normal heart
rhythm, muscle contractility, acid-base balance.
Their deficiency is often associated with
accelerating arthritic conditions. They are often
overlooked as a needed nutrient in the alleviation
of arthritis [12,19]. Most common minerals used
in pain management include: boron, calcium,
magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper.
Alafia barteri leaf was found to contain calcium,
manganese, iron and magnesium, potassium,
sodium; calcium being the highest and sodium as
the least in concentration. Calcium is a macro
mineral which helps to maintain skeletal integrity
[15].
Chemical reactions in the body and intestinal
absorption occurs with the help of magnesium..
Magnesium is an important mineral element in
connection with circulatory disease, such as
ischemic heart disease and calcium metabolism
in bone [16,17]. It also gives the bone strength
and density decreasing the risk of fractures.
Fluid balance and nerve transmission are
ensured by sodium and potassium. This could be
useful in lowering blood pressure. Iron is an
essential trace element for haemoglobin
formation, normal functioning of the central
nervous system and oxidation of carbohydrates,
protein and fats [17]. Iron is useful in prevention
of anaemia and other related diseases [16]. Its
presence in the extract suggests the possible
reduction of anaemia common to arthritic
patients.
Manganese plays a role in energy production
and in supporting the immune system. It also
aids cartilage development .It also works with
vitamin K to support blood clotting, and with B
complex vitamins to control the effects of stress
[18]. The presence of some of these minerals in
Alafia barteri leaf suggests its possible
usefulness in maintaining bone integrity. Lead
and cadmium were not detected in the leaf
extract of the plant.
The results of the phytochemical analyses are
shown in Table 3. This revealed the presence of
phenols, tannins and flavonoids in the aqueous
extract. The presence of these secondary
metabolites has contributed to its medicinal value
as well as physiological activity. Flavonoids
generally have been found to have anti-allergic,
anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer and
anti-diarrheal activities [20]. Tannins have
antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
diuretic properties. They reduce feed efficiency
and weight gain [21]. Phenols are very important
plant constituents because of their scavenging
ability due to their hydroxyl groups and may
contribute directly to anti-oxidative action.
There are reports that people with arthritis
experienced an improvement in their symptoms,
when they switched from a typical western diet to
a vegan diet with lots of flavonoids [22]. The
hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic stem
extracts was also found to contain glycosides,
flavonoids and anthraquinones [5].
Adefisan et al.; IJBCRR, 29(9): 108-112, 2020; Article no.IJBCRR.62896
111
Table 1. Proximate composition of aqueous leaf extract of Alafia barteri
Nutrient
Composition (%)
Crude fibre 48.29 ± 2.67
Protein 15.84 ± 1.43
Carbohydrate 13.13 ± 0.94
Moisture 8.76 ± 0.59
Lipids 7.23 ± 0.71
Ash 6.75 ± 0.58
The results are expressed as mean ± SD in triplicate determinations
Table 2. Concentration of minerals in aqueous leaf extract of Alafia barteri
Mineral
Concentration(mg/100g)
Calcium 96.20± 9.75
Manganese 74.80 ± 2.84
Iron 46.20 ± 4.11
Magnesium 31.05 ± 2.76
Potassium 3.30 ± 0.05
Sodium 2.90 ± 0.04
Lead ND
Cadmium ND
ND= not detected
Table 3. Concentration of phytochemicals of aqueous leaf extract of Alafia barteri
Phytochemical
Concentration (mg/100g)
Flavonoids + 368.42 ± 26.95
Phenols + 72.35 ± 6.40
Tannins + 96.16 ± 8.39
Cardiac Glycosides + ND
Phlobatannins + ND
Steroids + ND
Anthraquinones + ND
Saponins
-
-
Alkaloids - -
+ means positive detection or presence
_ means negative detection or absence
ND = not determined
4. CONCLUSION
Data of the study indicate that the leaves of
Alafia barteri can serve as a potential source of
useful drugs and mineral elements which could
help to preserve bone integrity and health status.
COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing
interests exist.
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