Comprehensive nutritional, anti-nutritional, ICP-MS and FTIR profiling of <i>Ficus rumphii</i> leaves: a potential source for dietary enhancement

<i>Ficus rumphii</i> is a plant belonging to the Moraceae family. This study aimed to profile the functional groups using FTIR, as well as nutritional, elements using ICP-MS technique, and anti-nutritional analyses of <i>Ficus rumphii</i> leaves. The results of nutritional analysis of <i>Ficus rumphii</i> leaves revealed that the leaves had a diverse proximate composition with derived nutritional value to be 314.11 ± 0.31 kcal/100g. The leaves demonstrated good levels of ash, crude fibre, carbohydrate, crude fat, moisture, crude protein and nutritive value. The anti-nutrients were present at proportions that are not dangerous. Furthermore, the ICP-MS analysis revealed that <i>Ficus rumphii</i> leaves were also abundant in essential elements. FTIR analysis identified several functional groups such as O–H, N–H, C–H, O = C = O, C = O, C = N, C = C, etc. Hence, the findings of this study indicate that the leaves of wild plant <i>Ficus rumphii</i> possess significant nutritional potential, making it an excellent plant for meeting dietary requirements.