MEDICINAL AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF THAUMATOCOCCUS DANIELLII LEAVES: AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY

The medicinal and nutritional properties of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves were investigated in this study. A proximate and phytochemical analysis of leaf samples showed the presence of plant compounds that are of great value to human medicinal and nutritional needs. The leaf of T. daniellii when investigated contained (per 100g): 10.50% moisture, 8.90% Ash, 17.21% Lipid, 21.26% Protein, 24.61% Crude Fibre, 17.52% Carbohydrate and 310.01k/cal of energy value. Cyanogenic glycoside, Alkaloid, Flavenoid and Tannin were significantly present in the leaf in the concentration of 0.51mg/100g, 0.40mg/100g, 0.34mg/100g and 0.70mg/100g respectively. The plant leaves contain compounds which when harnessed properly, can be of medicinal and nutritional value in the prevention of diseases like colon cancer, diabetes and protein calorie malnutrition which is the driver of many nutritional pathologies. Overall, when this is done, the public health community benefits as it will make for a healthier society