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Abstract
The nutritional composition and phytochemical content of the leaf of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to access the numerous potential of the plant. The qualitative phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. leaves revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, eugenols, phenols, and reducing sugars; with saponins being highly present. Glycosides, terpenoids, steroids and tannins were seen to be absent. Variation in this composition was observed in the ethanol extract which showed that glycosides, saponins, phenols, eugenols, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids and reducing sugars were present in moderation, whereas tannins were seen to be absent. The medicinal value of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. is influenced by the presence and levels of these secondary metabolites. The proximate analysis revealed that Plumbago zeylanica Linn. leaves are rich in carbohydrates (34.990 ± 1.088%), have high content of Ash (8.606 ± 0.73%), crude protein (19.942 ± 0.154%), crude lipids (9.194 ± 0.258%), and crude fibre (27.267 ± 1.62%); but low content of moisture (4.993 ± 0.035%). Vitamin C content was also determined to be 4.724 ± 0.095%. The presence of high carbohydrates, protein, crude lipids and fiber contents of the leaves may be responsible for their nutritive value.
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