COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF LEAVES OF Chromolaena Odorata (L.) King & Robinson and Boerhaevia Diffusa

Abstract

Based on local claims on the efficacy of Boerhaevia diffusa and Chromolaena odorata in the treatment of malaria, this study compared the proximate content and phytochemical constituents of ethanolic extracts of C. odorata (COE) and B. diffusa (BDE) leaves. Ethanolic extract of the plant leaves were obtained by using standard procedures. The results of the proximate analysis of the dried ground leaves of both plants revealed that COE exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) percentage of ash, lipid, fiber, carbohydrate (10.30 %, 1.20 %, 5.19 %, 6.58 %, respectively) with lower amount of protein (0.66 %) and moisture (75.80 %) in contrast to the BDE counterpart which had higher moisture (84.50 %) and protein (2.58 %) content but lower levels of the other parameters. The mineral elements of both plants samples were not significantly different (p>0.05) except for phosphorus which was very high for BDE (5mg/dl) when compared with COE (1.0mg/dl). Results of the phytochemical screening of the extracts showed that both extracts were positive for alkaloid, flavonoid, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and anthraquinones. However, cardiac glycosides were detected in BDE but absent in COE. While reducing sugars and tannins were positive for COE and negative for BDE. The results reveal that both extracts had almost similar nutritive and phytochemical values with some variations. The occurrence of the nutrients and phytochemicals in both plants justifies local claims of their medicinal and nutritional values.