Phytochemicals and Minerals Composition of Matured (Yellow) Carica Papaya Leaves

Abstract

Carica papaya Linn. belong to the family Caricaceae. It has long been a popular plant used in folk medicine around the world to manage a variety of ailments. It is also known for its food and nutritional value. Matured (yellow) Carica papaya leaves were analysed for various phytochemicals and minerals. The extraction of plant contents was carried out using 70% ethanol. The qualitative test revealed: saponins++, phenolics+, eugenols+,terpenoids+, steroids+, alkaloids++, flavonoids+ and tannins+. But glycosiedes was absent. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed the percentage of phytochemicals: phenols 5.60±0.001, terpenoids 4.451±0.000, cyanogenic glycosides 2.70±0.005, cardiac glycosides±0.001, steroids 5.451±0.000, saponins  8.776±0.001, alkaloids 19.990±0.0033, tannins  4.776±0.000, and eugenols  4.432±0.000. Elemental-analysis was conducted using atomic absorption spectrophometry (AAS); the elemental values were given in ppm, thus: iron 1.983±0.001, mercury 0.011±0.001, lead 0.029±0.000, zinc 0.486±0.045, sodium 6.464±0.026, cadmium 0.003±0.000, potassium 7.522±0.003, magnesium 2.952±0.003, arsenic 0.043±0.001, manganese 0.643±0.003, selenium 0.107±0.000, calcium 8.407±0.000, copper 0.187±0.000, nickel 0.004±0.000, and phosphorus 8.898±0.000. The study suggests that the matured (yellow) Carica papaya leaves are a rich source of essential phytochemicals and minerals)