Evaluation of Proximate, Minerals and Phytochemical Composition of Ficus Ovata Leave Obtained In, Mubi North Local Government Area Adamawa State, Nigeria

The present study was conducted to evaluate the proximate, minerals and phytochemical composition of Ficus ovata leaves in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The proximate and phytochemical composition of the leaves of F. ovata were investigated in accordance with standard procedures while quantitative analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Mineral contents were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and flame photometer for Na and K respectively. The proximate analysis of the dried leaves of F. ovata showed high content of crude fiber (27.53±0.005 %), with appreciable levels of Carbohydrate (26.86±0.025 %), crude protein (21.36±0.010 %), Ash content (11.26±0.010 %) and Moisture content (9.25±0.000 %) low, but appreciable level of Crude fat (3.75±0.000 %). The phytochemical screening also showed the presence of the following tannin, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids and terpens. On the other hand, the quantitative analysis of the phytochemicals showed high concentration of tannins (18.34± 0.025 mg/100 g). Low, but appreciable levels of alkaloids (8.46±0.010 mg/100 g), glycosides (8.16±0.005 mg/100 g), saponins (4.56±0.015 mg/100 g), flavonoids (3.92±0.010 mg/100 g) and terpenoids (2.76±0.010 mg/100 g) respectively. The presence of these components showed that the plant can be useful as a drug candidate and sources for natural compounds as anti-infection agents. The leaves are also rich in mineral elements since it contained high concentration of Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, Manganese, Zinc and Iron, (845.22±0.005 mg/100 g), (653.27±0.015 mg/100 g), 324.54±0.015 mg/100 g), (71.26±0.010 mg/100 g), (61.26±0.010 mg/100 g), (14.54±0.015 mg/100 g), (12.32±0.010 mg/100 g) and (2.43±0.00 mg/100 g) respectively. The rich content of the various constituents in this plant proves that F. ovata is a multipurpose plant and can serve as an alternative source of medicine and could contribute immensely towards meeting both human and livestock nutritional requirements.