Nutritional and Phytochemical Content of Cissus populnea (Okoho) Stem Bark

Abstract

In this study, the nutritional and chemical contents of the stem bark of Cissus populnea were determined. The analyses were carried out using standard methods. The proximate analyses showed that the sample contains crude protein (1.49±0.02%), crude fibre (22.13±0.62%), crude fat (13.07±0.26%), carbohydrates (56.04±0.78%), ash (4.605±0.23%) and moisture (2.665±0.33%). The vitamin content comprise of vitamin A (2.805±0.03 mg/g), β-Carotene (1.795±0.03 mg/g), vitamin B1 (0.93±0.02 mg/g), vitamin B2 (1.755±0.15 mg/g), vitamin B9 (1.67±0.10 mg/g), vitamin C (2.235±0.17 mg/g), vitamin D (2.02±0.1 mg/g), vitamin E (1.41±0.08 mg/g) and vitamin K (2.425±0.21 mg/g). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids (1.551 ±0.03 mg/g), flavonoids (0.761±0.10 mg/g), saponins (2.208±0.07 mg/g), steroids (1.452±0.04 mg/g), tannins (1.987±0.01 mg/g), terpenoids (1.530±0.09 mg/g) and phenols (0.447±0.06 mg/g). Glycoside was not detected. The results indicate that the stem bark of Cissus populnea is a good source of food nutrients and phytochemicals. These phytochemicals may be responsible for the medicinal properties of the plant.