Chemical Composition of Red and White Cocoyam (Colocosiaesculenta) Leaves

OlaleyeLydia Damilola, Owolabi Bodunde Joseph, AdesinaAdeniyi Olufemi, IsiakaAdekunle Amoo

Abstract: Standard methods were employed to analyze red and white cocoyam (Colocosiaesculenta) leaves for proximate, mineral and anti-nutrients compositions. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemicals were also carried out to ascertain their presence and relative abundance in the samples. These analyses showed that the samples possess high ash content, hence, appreciablemineral content. The samples were also found to have large amounts of anti-nutrients; phytate and oxalates. Qualitative and quantitative analyses for phytochemicals confirmed the presence of bioactive constituents liketannins, flavonoids, total phenols and alkaloids in various proportions.

Keywords: Colocosiaesculenta, proximate, anti-nutrients, phytochemicals