Nutritional and phytochemical properties of wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf

Abstract

The proximate composition, vitamin content, mineral content and phytochemical compounds present in wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf were investigated using the standard methods described by Association Of Analytical Chemists AOAC (2000) and Association of Vitamin Chemists (1987). The result of proximate composition showed that wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf contains crude protein 8.85 ± 0.01%, crude fibre 4.93 ± 0.01%, fat content 1.51 ± 0.01%, ash content 2.63 ± 0.01%, moisture content 9.74 ± 0.01% and carbohydrate content 72.34 ± 0.02%. The result of vitamin analysis also showed that wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf contains the following vitamins; A 0.024 ± 0.001%, B₁ 0.041 ± 0.001%, B₂ 0.034%, B₆ 0.162%_, B₁₂ 0.022%_, C 8.78 ± 0.02%, E 0.011% and K 0.006%. The result of mineral analysis indicated that wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf contains Sodium (Na) 4.36 ± 0.01%, Potassium (K) 165.45 ± 0.92%, Calcium (Ca) 2.81 ± 0.05%, Magnesium (Mg) 91.28 ± 0.65%, Manganese (Mn) 1.21 ± 0.01%, and Copper (Cu) 2.36 ± 0.01%. The result of phytochemical analysis revealed that wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf contains Alkaloid 4.616 ± 0.007%, Saponin 0.284 ± 0.003%, Phytate 0.311 ± 0.001%, Tannin 0.576 ± 0.002%, Oxalate 0.218 ± 0.000%, Flavonoid 0.676 ± 0.001%, and Cyanoglycoside 0.003 ± 0.000%. Therefore, wild custard apple (Annona senegalensis) leaf is a good source of carbohydrate, protein, vitamin C, vitamin B₆, potassium, magnesium, alkaloid and flavonoid.