Chemical Composition of the Leaves of Two Wild Plants Consumed by the Population of Kisangani (DR Congo)

Faustin ETUTU, Basile SOLOMO, Celestin BAMAWA

Abstract: The leaves of Combretum congolanum and Combretum smeathmanii, two wild plant species, are consumed less in Kisangani (DR Congo) as tea substitute and in traditional medicine. Chemical investigations were carried out on the leaves of these plant species in order to determine their nutrients and phytochemicals. These leaves contained proteins (4.62 - 4.70%), lipids (1.24 - 1.40%), fibers (4.62 - 5.21%), sugars (2.50 - 3.01%), minerals, vitamins, alkaloids, polyphenols, saponins, sterols and terpens. The mineral content (mg/100g) of these leaves varies: calcium (770.62 - 903.23), magnesium (190.11 - 285.09), iron (10.14 - 11.50) and phosphorus (75.04 - 92.12); that of vitamins (mg/100g) also varies: vitamin C (8.82 - 11.49), vitamin A equivalent (0.26 - 0.54), vitamin B1 (0.21 - 0.32), vitamin B2 (0.09 - 0.14) and vitamin B6 (0.47 - 0.75). The presence of these nutrients and phytochemicals justifies the use of these leaves by some people of Kisangani as tea and to treat certain health problems.

Keywords: Wild plants leaves, analysis, nutrients, phytochemicals, Kisangani