ABSTRACT

People are unaware ofthe high nutritional content and value of Musanga cecropiodies due to lack of information. The study aimed at determining the medical and nutritional importance of Miisanga cecropiodies in South east Nigeria. The gravimetric method and the ferric chloride test was used to determined alkaloid, flavonoid and tannin. The method of the Association of Analytical chemist was used to determine the vitamin content. Proximate analysis (moisture content, crude fat, crude protein, total ash and carbohy drate, nitrogen) was determined using the standard procedure of Association of Analy tical Chemist. Ash was done using the incineration gravimetric method. Crude fibre was determined by the Wende method. Protein was determined by Kjeldahl digestion method. Fat content ofthe sample was determined by the continuous solvent extraction method using a soxhlet apparatus. The carbohydrates content was calculated by difference as the nitrogen free extractive. Evaluation ofthe bioactive composition of M. cecropioides showed significantly (P<0.05) highertannin (0.83mg/l 00g) in the leaves compared to the stem (0.44mg/100g) and fruit (0.14mg/100g). The result from this study showed significant difference (P<0.05) in phenolic contents ofM. cecropioidesextvacts; the fruit extract having higher concentration (0.63%) than the stem and leaves extracts (0.12 and 0.82% respectively). Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were significantly (P<0.05) more concentrated in the leaves ofM. cecropioides (3.23. 1.06 and 2.59% respectively). The result showed that the stem ofM. cercropioides had significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of calcium (5.49 ± 0.20), Magnesium (1.84 ± 0.12) and potassium (0.86 ± 0.15) when compared to that of leaves (3.63 ±0.17, 1.16 ± 0.05 and0.47 ±0.10 respectively) and fruit (2.45 ± 0.10, 0.52 ± 0.1 land 0.45 ± 0.03 respectively). The proximate analysis result revealed that theleaf extracts of M. cercropioides had significantly (P<0.05) higher protein (21.31 ± 0.34%) than the stem and fruit extracts (9.44 ±0.18 and 14.65 ± 1.09% respectively). The stem extract had higher (P<0.05) fiber (14.18 ± 0.11%) and ash (11.64 ± 0.09%) compared to the leave (9?81 ± 0.04%, 7.69 ± 0.12%) and fruit extract (2.33 ± 0.02%; 5.61 ± 0.03%). The result showed strong significant relationship (P<0.05) between the minerals contents evaluated. Magnesium was significantly related with the other metals (K, Ca, Na and P respectively) except Nitrogen (P>0.05). The findings from this study proved the presence of various phytochemical nutrients, proximate compositions, vitamins and mineral compound in M. cecropioides leaves, stems and fruits, in addition to the antiradical activity. Although some ofthe phytochemical and mineral content ofMusanga cecropioides were exploited in this study, the storage condition for this tree rich in nutrient and abundant in nature is yet to be unexpected