Comprehensive analysis of phytochemical, vitamin, antioxidant, proximate, and mineral profiles of Ipomoea batatas methanolic leave extract

The phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and proximate composition of methanolic leaves extract of sweet potato Ipomoea batatas cultivated in Sheda Science and Technology Complex (Shestco) staff quarters, Abuja were examined through established analytical techniques. The free radical scavenging method with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The analysis for phytochemicals showed that the methanolic leaves extract contain alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, and tannins. The proximate analysis results revealed ash contents (10.30%), fat (3.61%), fiber (11.55%), protein (12.40%), carbohydrates (50.71%), and caloric value (284.93 Kcal/100 g). The mineral content included potassium (4344.27 mg/100 g), sodium (53.31 mg/100 g), calcium (550.09 mg/100 g), magnesium (259.38 mg/100 g), copper (7.08 mg/100 g), zinc (9.14 mg/100 g), iron (44.79 mg/100 g), lead (0.08 mg/100 g), phosphorus (563.4 mg/100 g), chromium (2.65 mg/100 g), and manganese (14.63 mg/100 g). The results also indicated that the methanolic leaves extract contains different vitamins, with vitamin C having the highest amount of 28.52 mg/100 g and vitamin B1 showed lowest of 1.06 mg/100 g. The I. batatas leaves' phytochemical showed 89.21% capacity to neutralize and prevent free radicals and reactive oxygen species through the DPPH test at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. The findings showed that the methanolic extract of I. batatas leaves is reach with vital nutrients and a wide range of secondary metabolites, indicating its potential for medicinal purposes and development as therapeutic agents.