Nutrient and Bioactive Components of Annona muricata and Fagara zanthoxyloide of South-Southern Nigeria

This study was aimed at investigating the nutrient and bioactive components of Annona muricata and Fagara zanthxoyloide from south-southern Nigeria. The roots and leaves of these plants were collected from communities within this region and an analysis of the phytochemical, mineral and vitamin components of these plant parts were carried out using standard methods. The results of the investigation revealed the a high presence of alkaloids (27.34 ± 0.15 and 12.98 ± 0.98), flavonoids (19.66 ± 0.04 and 3.71 ± 0.46) and phenols (15.10 ± 0.11 and 0.07 ± 0.42) in the leaves and roots of Annona muricata while alkaloids (35.55 ± 0.95 and 50.90 ± 0.83), tannins (28.70 ± 0.19 and 55.37 ± 0.47) and terpenoids (18.23 ± 0.08 and 41.21 ± 0.16) were observed in leaves and roots of Fagara zanthoxyloide. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of iron (20.23 ± 0.01 and 5.21 ± 0.02), calcium (3.67 ± 0.06 and 1.59 ± 0.01), copper (2.17 ± 0.011 and 0.16 ± 0.01) and magnesium (3.04 ± 0.01 and 2.18 ± 0.005) in leaves and roots of Annona muricata and iron, copper (2.53 ± 0.011 and 7.38 ± 0.017) and zinc (5.16 ± 0.02 and 5.32 ± 0.011) in leaves and roots of Fagara zanthoxyloide. The leaves and roots of both plants also showed the presence of folate (26.82±0.48 and 23.47±0.03 for A. muricata and 15.82±0.18 and 20.63±0.91 for F. zanthoxyloide) and ascorbate (31.97±0.03 and 26.89±0.19 for A. muricata and 13.86±0.13 and 30.21±0.01 for F. zanthoxyloide) in appreciable quantities while vitamins D, E and K were also observed in minute concentrations in both plant samples. These results may thus suggest that these plants from this region as a result of their rich nutrients and bioactive compositions may play a large role in alleviating the salient nutritional, physiological and medical challenges observed among people within this region.