AN ASSESSMENT OF NUTRIENTS AND PHYTOCONSTITUENTSIN JATROPHA TANJORENSIS LEAF–STALK
Abstract
The leaf stalk of Jatropha tanjorensis was analyzed for its nutritional andphytochemical compositions
using standard analytical procedures. The proximate composition of the sample showed 38.48% carbohydrate
and 23.44% ash content. Vitamin C (51.78 mg/100g) was the most abundant vitamin in the sample. The result
of the mineral composition showed potassium (974.2 mg/100g) as the most abundant mineral and magnesium
(0.81 mg/100g) as the least abundant. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids,
polyphenols, saponins and phytate.A total of eighteen (18) amino acids were found with glutamic acid having the
highest concentration of 16.28g/100g of protein, while tryptophan was found to be the lowest with a concentration
of 1.32g/100g of protein. Thepolyunsaturatedfatty acidswere found in high concentration. These results revealed
that the stalk of Jatropha tanjorensis contains an appreciable amount of nutrients and phytochemicals capable
of promoting good health.
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