Proximate and Phytochemical Analyses of Terminalia catappa Leaves

The proximate and phytochemical analyses of the leaves of Terminalia catappa were determined using the methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (A.O.A.C). The proximate composition (%) recorded 8.6, 1.1, 40.0, 0.2, 10.2 and 39.9 for moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate respectively. The phytochemical concentrations (mg/100g) revealed flavonoids (4.66±0.91), tannins (0.86±0.01), -carotene (4.06±0.10), glycosides (4.52±0.27), alkaloids (22.40±2.60), steroids (24.30±2.35), saponins (6.80±1.09), phenols (16.70±2.65) and total carbohydrate (18.60±2.41). The results indicated that the leaves were very high in carbohydrate, fat, alkaloids, phenols and steroids but low in protein, tannins and ash contents with moderate crude fiber levels. This indicates that it could be a good source of oil, carbohydrate and some phytochemicals.