Phytochemical Analysis and Uv Absorptivity of Extracts of Telfairia Occidentalis, Celosia Argentia and Amaranthus Hybridus

The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the qualitative and quantitative constituents of three different leafy vegetables Telfairia occidentalis, Celosia argentea and Amaranthus hybridus commonly consumed in Nigeria, West Africa. The secondary metabolites in the vegetables were assessed using standard phytochemical screening methods and the active compounds were identified with Gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and UVVisible Spectrophotometry techniques. Pulverized dried leaves of the leafy vegetables were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with absolute concentration of ethanol and each concentrated plant extract was analyzed. The results of the Gas Chromatography and Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses provided different peaks that indicated the presence of forty-three compounds in A. hybridus, forty T. occidentalis and thirty-six C. argentea. The plant extract was scanned in the wavelength ranging from 200-600nm by using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, the results showed different peaks ranging from 410-435nm with different absorptions, respectively. Many of the compounds identified to be present in these vegetables have been found to be beneficial to human health and may serve as an active ingredient in the development of therapeutic drugs.