Phytochemical, Proximate and Mineral Analysis of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Irvingia gabonensis

Abstract

This study evaluated the phytochemical, proximate and mineral composition of the aqueous leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis. The extract was prepared from authenticated leaves and analysed using standard qualitative and quantitative phytochemical procedures, proximate methods and mineral analysis. Proximate analysis showed that carbohydrate was the major component (42.87 ± 6.28%), followed by moisture (28.42 ± 2.87%) and crude fibre (14.74 ± 1.22%). Crude protein was present at 8.52 ± 0.68%, while ash and crude lipid were recorded at 2.98 ± 0.05% and 2.47 ± 0.02%, respectively. Mineral analysis showed that magnesium had the highest concentration (46.42 ± 2.86 mg/kg), followed by sodium, calcium, potassium, zinc and iron. Qualitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, proteins, reducing sugars and carbohydrates. Quantitative analysis showed measurable levels of saponins (296.34 ± 5.56 mg/g extract), tannins (248.66 ± 6.98 mg/g extract), flavonoids (245.83 ± 8.72 mg QE/g extract), total phenolics (137.75 ± 5.89 mg GAE/g extract) and alkaloids (128.46 ± 7.16 mg/g extract). These findings indicate that I. gabonensis leaves contain nutritional constituents and secondary metabolites of biochemical interest. However, biological activities were not assessed in this investigation; therefore, further antioxidant, toxicity and activity-based studies are required before medicinal relevance can be confirmed.