Phytochemical, proximate and elemental analysis of acalypha wilkesiana leaves

Acalypha wilkesiana, commonly called Irish petticoat, is native to the south pacific islands and belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Apart from its use as a vegetable, the plant is also used in traditional medicine as a diuretic plant and is eaten in the management of hypertension. In this study, three samples (ethanol extract, aqueous extract and dried powder) of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves were analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals according to standard methods. Apart from flavonoids, steroids, anthraquinones and phytate, all the phytochemicals tested for are present in the three samples. This qualitative analysis showed the presence of flavonoids only in the ethanol extract and powdered leave, steroids only in the ethanol extract, anthraquinones and phytate in the aqueous extract and powdered leave only. Proximate analysis revealed the presence of ash [4.16% (aqueous extract),13.98% (ethanol extract) and 13.65% (powdered leaves)], moisture [66.0% (aqueous extract), 30.89% (ethanol extract) and 12.0% (powdered leaves)], total lipid [1.75% (aqueous extract), 4.25% (ethanol extract) and 2.20% (powdered leaves)], as well as fiber, crude protein and energy, while elemental analysis revealed the presence of sodium [0.0086% (aqueous extract), 0.024% (ethanol extract) and 0.015% (powdered leaves)], potassium [0.49% (aqueous extract), 1.36% (ethanol extract) and 1.44% (powdered leaves)], as well as chloride and calcium. The various phytochemical compounds detected are known to have beneficial use in industries and medical sciences, and also exhibit physiological activity