South Asian Research Journal of Natural Products

Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissmum have been reported to contain phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins and these offer a great opportunity for the development of new types of therapeutics. The comparative qualitative phytochemical, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), proximate, vitamin and mineral element compositions of ethanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium (GL) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) was studied. The leaves of GL and OG were collected, identified, washed, sliced, air-dried and pulverized into powder. The powdered samples were weighed and macerated in 95% absolute ethanol for 72 hours.  They were filtered and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness using a water bath at 40°C. The samples were analyzed, for phytochemical, GC-MS, proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions using standard methods. The qualitative results of the leaves of GL and OG showed that the plant leaves contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols and cardiac glycosides. The GC-MS analysis of ethanol leaves of GL and OG revealed that the plants contain 38 and 37 bioactive compounds respectively. Comparatively, the moisture content of OG (19.30 ± 0.20) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than GL (16.97 ± 0.52). The protein composition of OG was significantly higher (P<0.05) (17.18 ± 0.22) than that of GL (2.43 ± 0.14). Similarly, the lipid composition of GL was significant higher (P<0.05) (5.96 ± 0.11) than that of OG (2.34 ± 0.17). Ash composition of OG was significantly higher (P< 0.05) (14.87 ± 0.47) than that of GL (9.65 ± 0.20). Also, fibre content was significantly higher (P<0.05) in OG (14.87 ± 0.47) compared to GL (9.91 ± 0.24|). This result revealed also revealed higher percentage composition of carbohydrates (53.05 ± 1.27) and energy (343.77 ± 1.50) in OG compare to GL (40.33 ± 0.95) and (284.51 ± 2.91). Higher mineral compositions such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium was seen in OG compared to GL and a significantly higher in sodium in GL compared to OG. Iron and Lead was found to be present only in GL. The vitamins of GL and OG was also significantly high (P<0.05). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that GL and OG have rich bioactive constituents which can be employed in the formulation of novelty drugs.