International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 1, January-2014 2177
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Ficus exasperata Vahl Leaves
Muibat Olabisi Bello, Misbaudeen Abdul-Hammed, Precious Ogunbeku
Keywords— Ficus exasperata, phytonutrients, saponin, tannin
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The use of medicinal plants has always been part of human culture and is wide spread in Africa. During the last decades, herbs and spices have been used in culinary and tra- ditional therapeutic practices for the treatment of different ailments. The nutritional and medicinal properties of the plant may be inter linked through both nutrient and non-nutrient
ported medicinal usefulness, no information could be obtained as regards the nutrient content of F. exasperata leaves even though it is ground and ingested for various medicinal bene- fits. However, proximate and nutrient analysis of medicinal plants, edible fruits and vegetables plays a crucial role in as- sessing their nutritional significance and can help to under-
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phytochemicals. Among the plant species that has been ethno-
botanically reported to have diverse medicinal uses is the Ficus
exasperata Vahl [1]. F. exasperata Vahl is one of the Ficus species of Moraceae family globally referred to as “fig plant”.
Over 45 different species are found in Nigeria [2], and
are primarily located in the rainforest, Savannah and beside rivers and streams. It is a medicinal plant referred to as ''sand paper plant'' and Ewe ipin in Yoruba language of Western Ni- geria. Different parts of the plant are used for treating eye- sores, ring worm, stomach pains and leprosy [3]. The young leaves of F. exaperata are prescribed as a common anti-ulcer remedy. The leaf extract has been reported to have diverse uses in the treatment of heamostative opthalmia, coughs, heamorrhoid [4], epilepsy, high blood pressure, rheumatism, arthritis, intestinal pains, colics, bleeding, ulcer and wounds [5].
stand the worth of these plant species [7].
Also, this leaf has been severally used for different
medicinal treatment, it is important to know their elemental contents because some of these elements have either toxic ef- fects or essential properties. Poor nutritive values might also be related to the presence of many anti-nutritional factors such as tannins, phytates, saponin and alkaloids. The deficiency of the elements or excess of anti-nutrients might disturb normal biochemical functions of the body. This study therefore inves- tigates the level of nutrients, antioxidant, mineral elements and anti-nutrient phytochemicals in the leaves of commonly explored Ficus exasperata Vahl.
Various pharmacological actions such as anti-diabetic,
lipid lowering and antifungal activities have been described for F. exasperata leaf [6]. The leaf has also been reported to be useful for stabilization of vegetable oils, suppression of foam- ing and supplement as food stock [4]. Despite the various re-
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Author: Dr. M.O. Bello is currently an AssociateProfessor in the Food Chemistry unit, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
+2348033598709. E-mail: mobello274@gmail.com
Corresponding Author: Dr. M. Abdul-Hammed is currently a Lecturer I in
the Food Biophysical Chemistry unit, Department of Pure and Applied Chem-
istry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. +2348069151819. E-mail: mabdul-hammed@lautech.edu.ng
Co-author: P. Ogunbeku is a Research Assistant in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B.
4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Ficus exasperata leaves were harvested from the ficus
tree in front of the Department of Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The leaves were air dried at room temperature and pulverized with an electric blender (Nakai blender 248 special, Japan) stored in airtight container kept in refrigerator prior to analyses.
Proximate analysis was carried out using the standard procedures of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists [8]. Moisture content was determined by drying the sample in a vacuum oven at 100°C and dried to a constant weight. Ash content was determined by incineration of 2 g of the sample in a muffle furnace at 6000C for 8 hrs. The percentage residue weight was expressed as ash content. Crude fat was deter- mined by soxhlet extraction method using petroleum ether as
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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 5, Issue 1, January-2014 2178
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solvent. Nitrogen was determined using the Kjeldahl method
and crude protein was calculated by multiplying the percent- age nitrogen content by the conversion factor of 6.25. Carbo- hydrate was calculated by difference.
The micro nutrient and macro nutrients elements were quantified using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) transmission emission technique at the Centre for Energy Research and De- velopment (CERD), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Ni- geria, with model: PX2CR Power Supply and Amplifier for the XR-100CR Si Detector. The ground samples were pelletized and then irradiated with X-Ray for 1000 sec, to obtain the characteristics spectral, each spectral was made up of peaks which was characteristics of certain elements contained in the sample. The spectrum was checked on the computer system and then interpreted for quantitative determination of ele- ments by direct comparison of count rates.
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) was quantified by the method described previously [9]. Ascorbic acid was measured by titration with phenol indo-2, 6- dichlorophenol (DPIP). The leaves samples (0.2 g) were separately homogenized with 40
ml of a buffer solution made up of 1 g/L oxalic acid and 4 g/L
foods and helps in maintaining protoplasmic content of the
cell and the texture of leaf. The observed value implies that F. exasperata could have a long shelf life since microorganisms that cause spoilage mostly thrive in foods having high mois- ture content. This also is indicative of high total solids content in the leaf.
Parameters (g/100g) | Mean composition (± SD) |
Moisture | 3.85 ± 0.01 |
Crude protein | 6.91 ± 0.12 |
Crude fat | 4.25 ± 0.01 |
Crude fibre | 17.24 ± 1.45 |
Ash | 12.19 ± 0.10 |
Carbohydrate | 72.81 ± 2.56 |
Ascorbic acid | 0.0924 ± 0.0001 |
The ash content which is a measure of inorganic mat- ter in samples in F. exasperata was 12.19 ± 0.1 g/ 100g. This value was higher than 7.93 ± 0.12 g/ 100g reported for Moringa
oleifera leaf and fell within 5.0 - 13.0 g/100g ash content report-
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sodium acetate anhydrous. This was titrated against a solution
containing 295 mg/L DPIP and 100 mg/L sodium bicarbonate.
The results were expressed as mg/100 g dry weight.
Tannin was determined using the method previoulsy described [10], using tannin acid as standard, the coloured product developed was measured at 120 nm within 10 min. Saponin was determined gravimetrically by the method of Obadoni and Ochuko (2001) [11]. Alkaloid was determined by by being precipitated using concentrated ammonium hydrox- ide [35]. Phytate was determined by titration method as de- scribed by Wheeler and Ferrei (1971) [12], using FeCl3 as standard.
All data were reported as mean ± standard deviation of three different determinations.
ed for some Nigerian vegetables [15]. Leaves with high ash
content are good sources of minerals needed for the body and
the high value indicated that F. exasperata could be a good source of mineral elements.
The crude protein content of 6.91± 0.01 g/100g in F. exasperata was found to be relatively low compared to the ob- served values in conventional vegetables like cabbage, 12.8 g/100g; and lettuce, 14 g/ 100g [16] also much more lower than
17.09 ± 0.10 g/ 100g in Moringa oleifera leaf [13]. It hasbeen re-
ported that the crude protein on dry weight basis is within the range of 15 – 30 g/100g for most green leafy vegetables [18]. Even though the leaf might not serve as a sole source of pro- tein for the alleviation of Protein Energy Malnutrition, but when rightly combined with other foods it could be of high biological value and satisfactorily meet the protein needs of man.
The proximate constituents and ascorbic acid content in Ficus exasperata leaves were presented in Table 1. The result revealed that the leaf has a low moisture content of 3.85 ±
0.10 g/100g which is slightly higher than 3.21 ± 0.10 g/100g reported for Moringa oleifera [13] but lower when compared to
11.82 ± 0.45 g/100g, 10.25 ± 0.70 g/100g reported for Hibiscus cannabinus and Haematostaphis barteri respectively [14], also much more lower to the moisture content within the range of
79 – 89 g/100g reported for some Nigerian vegetables [15].
Moisture content is a widely used parameter in the processing
and testing of food [16]. It is an index of water activity of many
Crude fibre present in F. exasperata was 17.24 ± 0.01g/
100g. This exceeds 7.09 ± 0.11g/ 100g reported for Moringa
oleifera [13] and 9.74 ± 0.34 g/100g for Jatropha tanjorensis [19].
However, higher crude fibre was reported for Hibiscus canna- binus leaf (29.61 g/ 100g) and Haematostaphis barteri leaf (33.04 g/ 100g) [14]. This high level of dietary fibre in leafy vegetables are advantageous for their active role in the regulation of in- testinal transit, increasing dietary bulk and increasing faeces consistency due to their ability to absorb water.
Fibres are known to slow down glucose absorption
and reduce insulin secretion which is of great importance to diabetic patients [20]. This high level of fibre in F. exasperata leaf might be responsible for anti-diabetic properties reported [6], [21]. Crude fat content of 4.25 ± 0.01 g/ 100g was reported
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ISSN 2229-5518
for F. exasperata, this value was closer to 4.5 g/ 100g reported
for green variety of Celosia argentea [14] but higher than 2.11±
0.11 g/ 100 g reported for Moringa oleifera [13]. The leaf is a
poor source of lipid which is typical of most leafy vegetables. This is an advantage because the leaf is consumed in many medicinal preparations; it would not add to fat consumption, excess fat consumption is implicated in cardiovascular disor- ders such as atherosclerosis and cancer [21]. The level of car- bohydrate in the leaf is high and thus it could be a source of energy required for the smooth functioning of the body.
Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant and a very
small daily intake of this vitamin for an adult is required to avoid deficiency disease scurvy. Even in small amounts it can protect indispensable molecules in the body, such as proteins, lipids (fats), carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from damage by free radicals and reactive oxygen spe- cies that can be generated during normal metabolism as well as through exposure to toxins and pollutants [22]. The vitamin C content reported in the F. exasperata leaf is 92.4 ± 0.01 mg
/100g. This is low compared to 345, 408, 421 mg / 100g report-
ed for Vernonica amygdalin, Amaranthus Cruentus and Celosia
Argnetus respectively, but higher than 65 mg/100g reported
traction particularly the cardiac muscle, cell membrane func-
tion and Na+/K+-ATPase. Potassium is also required during glycogenesis. It also helps in the transfer of phosphate from ATP to pyruvic acid and probably has a role in many basic cellular enzymatic reactions[25]. This leaf could be a good source of potassium.
The level of calcium in F. exasperata, 1.13 ± 0.02 g/100g
was higher than the value reported for Vernonia amygdalina
1,010 mg/ 100g [26]. Calcium functions as constituent of bones and teeth, regulation of nerve and muscle function. In blood coagulation, calcium activates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. It activates large number of enzymes such as adenosine triphosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase and lipase and also required for membrane permeability, normal trans- mission of nerve impulses and in neuromuscular excitability. Reduced extracellular blood calcium increases the irritability of nerve tissue and very low levels may cause spontaneous discharge of nerve impulses leading to tetany and convulsions [27].
The result also revealed 220.31± 13.07 mg/kg of man-
ganese which was higher than 84.35 ± 0.18mg/kg reported for
Clerodendrum volubile [28] and 81.65± 2.31ppm for Moringa
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for Basella rubra [23]. The Ascorbic acid content of F. exasperata
lies above the lower range of 70 – 465 mg/100g reported for Nigeria conventional vegetables [24]. Thus the level of the an- tioxidant might be responsible for some pharmacological ac- tions described for the leaves.
Elements | Concentration |
Potassium (g/100g) | 3.36 ± 0.04 |
Calcium (g/100g) | 1.13 ± 0.02 |
Titanium (g/100g) | 0.03 ± 0.00 |
Manganese (mg/kg) | 220.31 ± 13.07 |
Iron (mg/kg) | 122.95 ± 3.31 |
Copper (mg/kg) | 104.13 ± 5.67 |
The levels of different mineral elements in the leaf were reported in Table 2. Elements are essential constituents of enzymes and play a significant role in human metabolism and are very important with regard to life process [24]. Few elements were detected by XRF technique in this study. The presence of these elements in the leaves could also contribute to the various nutraceutical properties displayed by F. exasper- ata leaf. It contains higher level of potassium (3.36 ± 0.04 g/ 100 g) than the highly valued Moringa oleifera leaf with 1.13 g/ 100 g potassium [13]. Less than 25 g of the leaf could also provide the 800 mg recommended dietary allowance/ adequate daily potassium dietary intake for adult human reported [24]. Po- tassium has been implicated as the principal cation in intracel- lular fluid and functions in acid-base balance, regulation of osmotic pressure, conduction of nerve impulse, muscle con-
oleifera [13]. Manganese has antioxidant properties that are
important for proper food digestion and for normal bone structure. It is also a cofactor in the function of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase [28]. F. exasperata leaves could therefore serve as a potential source of the antiox- idant. Iron was also quantified in the leaf. The quantity was higher than 9.55 ± 0.28 mg/kg reported for Clerodendrum volu- bile [28]. Iron is useful in prevention of anemia and other relat- ed diseases.
Copper is another element detected in F. exasperata
leaves. Copper has been reported to be constituent of enzymes
like Cytochrome c oxidase, amine oxidase, catalase, peroxi- dase, ascorbic acid oxidase, plasma monoamine oxidase, erythrocuprin, lactase, uricase and plays role in iron absorp- tion. Also it is an essential micronutrient for haematologic and neurologic systems [29]. The concentration of copper in F. ex- asperata, 104.13 mg/kg was higher than the range of 8.71 to
15.06 mg/kg quantified in various vegetables [leek (Allium am-
peloprasum), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), parsley (Pe- troselinum crispum), garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and tarra- gon (Artemisia dracunculus)] cultivated around Sanandaj City in Iran [30]. Clinical deficiencies associated with copper are aneamia, bone disorders, neonatal ataxia, depigmentation and abnormal growth of hair, fur or wool, impaired growth and reproductive system [31]. Thus, the leaf could serve as nutrient source in the prevention of these disorders.
Table 3 revealed that F.exasperata leaves contained tannin (123 mg/ 100g), saponin (44.50 mg/ 100g), alkaloid (48.8 mg/ 100g) and phytate (5.92 mg/ 100g). The levels of these sec- ondary metabolites/ anti-nutrients were low in the leaf com-
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pared to the reported low levels of tannins (21.19 g/ 100g ±
0.25), phytates (2.57 g/ 100g ± 0.13), saponins (1.6 g/ 100g ±
0.05), oxalates (0.45 g/ 100g ± 0.01) in Moringa oleifera leaves
[12]. Some of these metabolites were also reported to have beneficial effect; phytate is an anticarcinogenic that protect against colon cancer and it is known to be a potential antioxi- dant that inhibit fenton reactions leading to lipid peroxidation and inhibition of polyphenol oxidase [32]. Alkaloids are also use in the pharmaceutical industries in the production of an- algesic, owing to its analgesic properties [33]. F. exasperata could also be a potential source of analgesic.
Anti- nutrients | Concentration (mg/100g) |
Tannin | 122.95 ± 1.10 |
Saponin | 44.50 ± 0.01 |
Alkaloid | 48.80 ± 0.20 |
Phytate | 5.92 ± 0.41 |
Although the distinction between medicinal plants and nutraceuticals can sometimes be vague, a primary charac-
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teristic of the latter is that nutraceuticals have a nutritional role
in the diet and the benefits to health may arise from long-term use as foods (i.e. chemoprevention) [34]. In contrast, many medicinal plants exert specific medicinal actions without serv- ing a nutritional role in the human diet and may be used in response to specific health problems over short- or long-term intervals. F. exasperata leaves could act both as source of food nutrients and as medicinal ingredient.
Ficus exasperata leaves were screened for their nutrient content, results showed that it contained high level of fibre, ash, carbohydrate , mineral elements and low level of mois- ture and anti-nutrient phytochemicals. These nutrients may not be strictly medicinal but could be valuable in preventing diseases that are health related. The results however support the medicinal use of the plant, and in addition, unveils the possibility of its acting as a potential source of food nutrients and nutraceuticals. The domestication of the plant should be encouraged.
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