DETERMINATION OF THE PHYTOCHEMICALS, MINERALS, PROXIMATE AND ANTIBACTERIAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE LEAF, STEM, ROOT AND SEED OF Ficus capensis (BUSH FIG)

Abstract

The leaf extract of Ficus capensis is used in some part of Nigeria as blood booster, this motivates the researchers on the need to assess the phytochemical, proximate, mineral and antibacterial compositions of the leaf, seed, stem and root of the plant. The various parts of Ficus capensis were got from a farm land in Umuahia and analysed for phytochemicals, proximate, mineral and antibacterial contents using their various methods of analysis. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of all the phytochemicals analysed in all parts of the plant while quantitative phytochemical analysis indicated phenol as the lowest phytochemical in the order: stem 0.28 ± 0.02 < root 0.32 ± 0.00 < leaf 0.35 ± 0.01< seed 0.43± 0.02 and tannin as the highest in the order: root < stem< seed < leave. The results of mineral analysis revealed potassium as the highest followed by calcium followed by sodium, magnesium, zinc and iron in the order: stem < root < seed < leaf. The result of proximate analysis Showed carbohydrate as the highest followed by ash in the order: root 12.45 ± 0.00 < leaf 17.45 ± 0.05 < stem 18,24 ± 0.02 < seed 18.35 ± 0.01 while the antibacterial analysis against E. coli., K. pneumonia, and Salmonella typhi showed good efficiency in 200 mg/ml with greater inhibition compared to 100mg/ml. Ficus capensis leaf, stem, root and seed contained good amounts of minerals, phytochemicals, proximate and also showed good efficiency for antibacterial inhibition. It is therefore recommended and encouraged for consumption.