Comparative Phytochemical and Nutritional Profiles of Ficus capensis and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaves

This study investigated the phytochemical, proximate, mineral, vitamin contents of Ficus capensis and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves. Phytochemical and Proximate analysis were done according to the AOAC methods. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine the mineral content while vitamins were determined spectrophotometrically using the standard method of AOAC. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Flavonoids, alkaloids, Tannin, Saponin, Phytate, Haemaglutinnin, Oxalate, Cardiac glycosides and Phenol in the leaf extract of F. capensis and C. aconitifolius. The proximate composition of the dried leaf of F.capensis was; moisture (11.35± 1.45 %), crude protein (10.85 ± 0.31%), crude fibre (12.38 ± 0.71%), crude fat (3.48±0.01%), ash (6.37 ± 0.30%) and carbohydrate (55.57 ± 3.02%). On the other hand, that of C. aconitifolius was; moisture (11.35 ± 0.30%), crude protein (10.85±0.52%), crude fibre (12.38 ± 0.02%), crude fat (3.48 ± 0.02%) ash (6.37 ± 0.09%) and carbohydrate (55.57 ± 1.08%). Elemental analyses showed that C. aconitifolius had significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of the elements (Cadmium, Arsenic, Fe, Pb, Cu, Na) when compared to F. capensis. The leaf of C. aconitifolius was significantly higher in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E and K (p<0.05) when compared to that of F. capensis. However, F. capensis leaf had higher vitamins B12 and D contents than C. aconitifolius. This study suggests that these two plants can serve as a good source of nutraceutical.