EVALUATION OF THE NUTRITIVE ANTIOXIDANT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE GREEN LEAVE OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA

ABSTRACT Medicinal plants have long been a cornerstone of traditional medicine and a valuable resource for modern pharmacology. Plants are essential for discovering new compounds with potential therapeutic benefits. One of such plant is, Terminalia catappa, commonly known as Indian Almond, Tropical Almond, or Sea Almond, is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. This tree is notable not only for its ornamental value but also for its diverse uses in traditional medicine. Hence, this study evaluated the nutritive composition, antioxidant activity, and phytochemical profile of the green leaves of Terminalia catappa. Fresh green leaves of Terminalia catappa were collected from mature trees in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The collected samples were kept in a polyethylene bag and stored at room temperature prior to use. The samples were identified at the herbarium of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Collected fresh green leaves of Terminalia catappa were washed, air-dried, and ground into a fine powder. The powdered material was subjected to maceration using an aqueous solvent (water) to obtain the crude extract. The extract was concentrated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator and then freeze-dried to obtain a powdered extract. The sample was then analyzed for proximate composition, Vitamin content, Mineral composition, Phytochemical composition and Antioxidants activities. The result of the study show that the leaves of a plant are rich in carbohydrates and proteins, making them a potential energy source and essential amino acid source. They are also rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and manganese, which are essential for bone health and cardiovascular function. However, zinc and copper levels are relatively low. The leaves have a significant phytochemical composition, with alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenols being the most abundant. They are also a moderate source of Vitamin C, an important antioxidant, and contain trace amounts of other vitamins like Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. The leaves have significant antioxidant activity, with DPPH and HR inhibition values indicating their potential in mitigating oxidative stress. The leaves also contain trace amounts of other vitamins, such as Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. This research expands the scientific understanding of Terminalia catappa and its potential uses, offering valuable data for nutrition science, pharmacognosy, and sustainable agriculture