CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS

4.1Proximate Composition

Table 4.1 shows the proximate nutritional composition of

Solenostommonostachysto. The values are represented as mean ± standard
deviation (SD), indicating the consistency of the measurements. The results
showed the extract has highest Carbohydrates composition (38.95%) followed by
Protein (16.72%), fibre content (16.00%), moisture content (12.00%), ash content
(10.18%) but low in fat content (6.08%).
 Table 4.1: Proximate Composition

S/n Proximate Composition (%) Mean ± SD

1 Moisture content 12.00 ± 0.29
2 Ash content 10.18 ± 0.014
3 Fibre content (%) 16.00 ± 0.064

4 Fat content (%) 6.08 ± 0.70

5 Protein (%) 16.72 ± 0.007

6 Carbohydrates (%) 38.95 ± 0.042

40
35
30
25
Concentratio

20
15
10
5
n

0
nt nt %) %) (%
) %)
nte nte nt( nt( in es(
o co te te te at
r ec h on on ro dr
stu As e c t c P
oh
y
oi r Fa rb
M Fib Ca

Proximate Composition

Figure 1: Proximate Composition of Solenostommonostachysto Extract.

4.2 Photochemical Analysis

The quantitative phytochemical screening of Solenostommonostachysto extracts in

mg/100 g dry weight of sample is presented in Table 4.2. The plant extracts

exhibited important quantity of alkaloids (3.41%), flavonoids (0.03%), tannin

(0.645), phenol (224.2mg/kg), oxalate (0.05%) and reducing compounds.

 Table 4.2: Photochemical Analysis

S/n Photochemical composition (%) Mean ± SD

1 Alkaloids 3.41± 0.070

2 Flavonoids 0.03 ± 0.0007

3 Tannin 0.645 ± 0.0042

4 Phenol 224.2 ± 0.233

5 Oxalate 0.05 ± 0.002

250

200
Concentration

150

100

50

0
Alkaloids Flavonoids Tannin Phenol Oxalate

Figure 2: Photochemical Composition of Solenostommonostachysto extracts.

4.3 Vitamin Content of the Extract

Table 4.3 shows the vitamin content of Solenostommonostachysto expressed in mg

per 100g dry weight of the sample. The results showed the plant Has highest

Vitamin E content (14.868 mg/100g), followed by vitamin C(11.53 mg/100g),

Vitamin K (4.561 mg/100g) but low in vitamin A (0.282 mg/100) and vitamin D

(2.247 mg/100g).
Table 4.3: Vitamin Content

S/n Vitamin Composition Mean ± SD

1 Vitamin A 0.282 ± 0.0042 mg/100g

2 Vitamin C 11.53 ± 0.368 mg/100g

3 Vitamin D 2.247 ± 0.196 mg/100g

4 Vitamin E 14.868 ± 0.631 mg/100g

4 Vitamin K 4.561 ± 0.169 mg/100g

16

14

12

10

0
Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K

Figure 3: Vitamin Content of Solenostommonostachysto.

Table 4.4 shows the mineral composition of the leaves of

Solenostommonostachysto in mg/100 g dry weight. A total of four (4) mineral

elements were detected of which Potassium was the most abundant (K= 56.94

mg/100g followed by Copper (Cu = 0.609 mg/100g) and Zinc (Zn=

0.406mg/100g) while least abundant mineral element was Iron (Fe = 0.35 mg/100

g dry weight).
Table 4.4: Mineral Composition

S/n Mineral Compositions (mg/100g) Mean ± SD

1 Potassium 56.94± 0.608 mg/kg

2 Copper 0.609 ± 0.071 mg/100g

3 Zinc 0.406 ± 0.0063 mg/100g

4 Iron 0.356 ± 0.0085mg/100g

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Potassium Copper Zinc Iron

Figure 4.4 Mineral Composition

4.5 Antioxidant Activities

The table presents the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of

Solenostommonostachysto extract at different concentrations (10–80 mg/mL). The

values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), indicating the reliability

of the measurements. The scavenging activity was observed to have increased with

concentration, indicating a dose-dependent antioxidant effect.

Table 4.5: Antioxidant Activities

Concentration Absorbance (Rep Absorbance (Rep Scavenging Activity Mean ± SD

(mg/mL) 1) 2) (%) (%)
10 mg/mL 0.476 0.470 79.88625 79.89 ± 0.043
20 mg/mL 0.456 0.463 80.92037 80.92 ± 0.040
40 mg/mL 0.522 0.529 77.50776 77.51 ± 0.049
80 mg/mL 0.321 0.322 87.90072 87.90 ± 0.032
 CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 DISCUSSION

The proximate analysis of Ugu (Telfairia occidentalis) leaf extract revealed lower

fibre (15.43%) and carbohydrate (16.97%) unlike Solenostommonostachysto

extract with fibre (16.00%) and carbohydrate (38.95%) . The fibre content provides

substrate for cellulose action. Also, the moisture content revealed 43.18% showing

that this waste has low storage capacity. The crude fibre contents of ugu leaf

extract (15.43%) were low and compared favourably with that of

Solenostommonostachysto (16.00%). Although intake of dietary fibre can lower the

serum cholesterol level, risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and

colon and breast cancer, the major problem associated with nutrition of vegetables

by human is the high fibre content which can cause intestinal irritation and lower

bioavailability (Adefegha & Oboh, 2018).

Ash contents were relatively lower in Ugu leaf extract (6.26%) than in

Solenostommonostachysto (10.18%) (Williams & Olufemi, 2022). The crude

protein content in ugu leaf (10.73%) is lower when compared to 16.72% in

Solenostommonostachysto extract (Olagunju & Ogunyemi, 2019).

The considerable amount of carbohydrate in Solenostommonostachysto studied is

an indication that the leafy vegetables can be used to regulate various metabolic

processes in the body as key molecules in the central metabolic pathways of the

body. The degree of moisture content in a plant is an important parameter which

defines the rigidity or turgidity of the vegetable (Onuekwe, 2012). High moisture

content results in rapid deterioration of vegetables and hence reduced shelf-life

(Agbaire, 2011).

The substantial amount of fibre in Solenostommonostachysto show that it can help

in keeping the digestive system healthy and functioning properly. Reports have

shown that crude fibre plays a key role in lowering risk of constipation, diabetes

and colon cancer (Muriuki et al., 2014). The moderate ash level in implies that it

would be a very good source of minerals. High ash values usually indicate high

mineral composition (Onuekwe, 2012). The values of the ash detected in the

Solenostommonostachysto indicate that they are good sources of minerals which

are required for the day-to-day metabolic functioning of the body.

The high protein value obtained conforms with the report on amaranths by

Achigan-Dako et al. (2014). However, accumulation of protein depends on factors

such as increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, soil fertility and increased NaCl

salinity. Leaves with high protein values are recommended for patients with

protein deficiency diseases (Mensah et al., 2008).

Potassium is an important mineral for good health. Potassium have been reported

to be helpful in regulating high blood pressure. According to the Food and Drugs

Administration (FDA) of the USA, the recommended daily value (DV) of

magnesium is 420 mg (U.S. FDA, 2020).

Zinc content obtained in the plant extract are comparatively high when

considering those of Anona muricata and Vernonia amygdalina obtained in studies

conducted by Usunobun and Okolie (2015). It has been observed that vegetables

generally do not have a high concentration of zinc (Gutiérrez et al., 2008).

Micro-minerals such as zinc and iron are required in the body in amounts often

below 100 milligrams per decilitre (U.S. FDA, 2020). According to the U.S. FDA

(2020), recommended daily values for zinc and iron are 11 mg and 18 mg,

respectively. The functions of zinc in the human body include supporting the

immune system’s healthy functioning, protein metabolism, aiding wound healing,

cell growth and the breakdown of carbohydrate (Ibrahim et al., 2001). Values of

iron obtained in this study are higher (0.35 mg/100g) than findings of Srivastava

(2011) who reported a range of 0.210 – 0.215 mg/100g iron in other amaranth

species. Iron is a key element needed in the body for processes such as DNA

synthesis and oxygen transport, and its deficiency leads to anaemia (Abbaspour et

al., 2014).
The quantitative phytochemical screening of Solenostommonostachysto extracts in

mg/100 g dry weight of sample is presented in Table 4.2. It reveals the presence of

alkaloids, flavonoids, tannin, phenol and oxalate. Ugu leaf contained similar

phtochemicals with the exception of Saponins, glycosides, oxalate and phenol

(ref). photochemical like tannins are known to inhibit the activities of digestive

enzymes and nutritional effects of tannin are mainly related to their interaction

with protein. Tannins form protein complexes which are insoluble hence, decreases

the digestibility of protein”. It was observed that phenol and alkaloids are high in

the study extract and may pose toxicity treats unlike in Ugu leaf, tannins (6.41%)

was reported high and could pose toxicity.

Flavonoids have been reported to exert a wide range of biological activities

including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiallergic, cytotoxic,

antitumor, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and vasodilatory action

(Tsuchiya, 2010). Good correlation between the total flavonoids content and

antioxidant activity has been shown (Ayoola et al., 2008), indicating that

flavonoids contribute in free radical scavenging. The presence of saponins in the

plant leaves indicates their potential of improving the immune system when taken

(Okwu, 2004). Saponins have also been shown to possess the ability of killing

cancer cells and have also shown other medicinal properties, such as anti-

inflammatory and antihyper-cholesterol (Kania-Dobrowolska, 2022) .

The DPPH radical scavenging assay demonstrated that Solenostommonostachysto

extracts exhibit strong antioxidant activity, with an increasing trend as

concentration increases, reaching 87.90 ± 0.032% at 80 mg/mL. This agreed with

findings of Ogbunugafor et al., (2011) which showed that there is a steady increase

in antioxidant properties of some plants like Moringa oleifera (moringa) and

Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle) they further observed that animal-based sources such

as fish oil from Salmo salar (salmon) and Scomberscombrus (Atlantic mackerel)

contain some level of antioxidant activity due to omega-3 fatty acids, they do not

exhibit the same polyphenolic-driven radical scavenging effects observed in plant

extracts (FAO, 2019).