PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, MINERAL CONTENT AND HPLC ANALYSIS OF DACRYODES EDULIS LEAF EXTRACT

ABSTRACT The increasing cost, limited accessibility and potential side effects of modern pharmaceutical drugs have sparked a renewed interest in medicinal plants as alternative, affordable, and safer sources of treatment. This study investigated the nutritional elemental, and phytoconstiuent of Dacryodes edulis, leaves to validate their traditional uses and explore their potential for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications. The powdered leaves, was extracted using methanol sovent in a Soxhlet extractor and then concentrated using rotary evaporator and water both. The extract was analysed using proximate analysis, elemental analysing, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (PLC). Proximate analysis of the leaves showed substantial nutritional value: moisture (7.53 ≠ 0.21%), ash (5.98 ≠ 0.06%, crude fat (0.81 ≠ 0.13%), crude fiber (8.76 ≠ 0.215) protein (33.76 ≠ 0.72%) and carbohydrate (50.68 0.70%). These results indicated that the leaves may serve as a valuable plant-based food supplement, especially for protein and energy. The elemental analysis revealed significant levels of important minerals in mg/kg: calcium (2883.33), sodium (976.57), potassium (2686.67), manganese (600,00). These micronutrients are essential for maintaining bone strength, enzymatic activities, red blood cell formation, immune function, and electrolyte balance, The HPLC analysis, identified various bioactive compounds, with quercetin (peak area: 3081.78) bein the most abundant flavonoid, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardipprotective properties. Other notable compounds included ß-caryophyllene (2556.78), ethl fallate, querticin, rutin, limoneme and antimicrobial like cyaniding and peturidin. These compounds are associated with antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and wound-healing properties. This study revealed that Darcryodes edulis leaves contain essential nutrients, health-promoting minerals, and a rich profile of pharmacologically active compounds. These findings validate their traditional medicinal uses and support further investigation into application in food-based therapies and the development of plant-derived drugs.