Evaluation of Proximate, Minerals, Vitamins and Antinutrient Composition of Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel. (Combretaceae) Leaves

Background: Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel. (Combretaceae) leaves are used in treatment of jaundice and hepatitis in South-Eastern Nigeria. Evaluations of the nutritional composition of medicinal plants can enhance their profile as sources of food and medicines. This research aims to determine the proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, and anti-nutrients contents of Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel (Combretaceae) leaves. Methods: Proximate, minerals, and vitamins analysis are done according to the standard methods described by AOAC. Spectrophotometric methods and AAS were used to determined minerals. For the ANFs, oxalate concentration was determined using the permanganate titration method, phytate determination was based on the analysis of phosphorus in a ferric phytate complex, assuming a constant 4Fe: 6P molecular ratio in the complex. Tannins, trypsin inhibitors, and hemagglutinins were evaluated using other standard methods.  Results: Mineral content: Cal 1.14 mg/100g, Mg1.58 mg/100g, Mn 0.268 mg/100g, Cu 0.176 mg/100g, Zn 5.9 mg/100g, Se 0.957 mg/100g, Fe 3.596 mg/100g, K 1.537 mg/100g, Na 0.6 mg/100g, phosphorus 0.58mg/100g. Proximate analysis: protein 3.327 %, moisture 4.45 %, ash 2.65%, fibre 4.3%, fat 2.20 %, carbohydrates 83.07 %. Anti-nutrients content: oxalate: 0.577mg/100g, phytate 0.567mg/100g, hemagglutinin 0.428HU/mg, tannins 123.53 mg/100g), trypsin inhibitor 0.647±.003HIU/mg. Vitamin analysis: Vitamin C 0.328 mg/100g, vitamin D 0.227 mg/100g, vitamin E 0.59 mg/100g, vitamin K 0.137 mg/100g, and vitamin A (retinol) 4.507 µg/g   Conclusion: Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel (Combretaceae) leaves are rich in proximate elements, vitamins and essential minerals and low levels of antinutrients.