| Abstrakt: |
The leaves of red cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), tropical nettle (Laportea aestuans L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz), and sesame (Sesamum indicum) are known for their numerous health benefits due to their high levels of phytochemicals like phenols and flavonoids. This study aims to evaluate the antinutrients properties and antioxidant activity of the leaves of these plants. The moisture and ash content were determined using the AOAC method. The total phenols, total flavonoids, vitamin A, total tannins, and total cyanogenic glycosides contents were determined following standard procedures. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-Azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS+) radical scavenging assays. Among the plants, S. indicum leaves was found to have the highest total phenols and flavonoids contents with values of 825.95 mg GAE/100 g, and 7.80 mg QE/100 g, respectively. The leaves of C. esculenta, D. carota, and M. esculenta had the highest vitamin A (7.63 mg/100 g), total tannins (112.27 mg/100 g), and total cynogenic glycosides (1792.65 mg/100 g) contents, respectively. The plants showed moderate to high antioxidant activity with D. carota exhibiting the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (60.91%), while M. esculenta showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (94.63%). The presence of antioxidant molecules and high radical scavenging activity suggest that these plants are potential sources of neutraceuticals, which could be harnessed in the management of oxidative stress-related diseases. However, the method of preparation that would reduce antinutrients, improve digestibility, and reduce toxicity of these plants should be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
