Proximate composition and phytochemical constituents of leaves of some Acalypha species

Proximate composition and phytochemical constituents of leaves of Acalypha hispida, Acalypha marginata and Acalypha racemosa were investigated. Proximate composition of leaves of Acalypha hispida showed that it contained moisture (11.02%), crude fat (6.15%), ash (10.32%), crude protein (13.78%), crude fibre (10.25%) and carbohydrate (44.48%). Similarly, Acalypha marginata showed that it contained moisture (10.83%), crude fat (5.60%), ash (15.68%), crude protein (18.15%), crude fibre (11.50%) and carbohydrate (38.24%); while Acalypha racemosa contained moisture (11.91%), crude fat (6.30%), ash (13.14%), crude protein (16.19%), crude fibre (7.20%) and carbohydrate (45.26%). The phytochemicals detected in both aqueous and methanolic extracts of each of the different species of leaves were the same and are phenolics, flavonoids, hydroxyanthraquinones and saponins. Steroids and phlobatannins were detected in Acalypha hispida and Acalypha racemosa, while glycoside was detected only in Acalypha hispida. All these results indicate that the leaves of these Acalypha species contains nutrients and mineral elements that may be useful in nutrition. The presence of some phytochemicals like saponins and flavonoids explained the medicinal action of the plant encountered in its therapeutic uses. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2009.