Samples of Tetracarpidium conophorum root and leaf were analyzed for phytochemical and proximate compositions, vitamin and mineral constituents. The phytochemical analysis indicated that tannins, alkaloids and saponins were present in both the root and leaf extracts. Also present were oxalates, phenols, flavonoids and gallic acid. Cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, ellagic acid and caffeinic acid were absent in both the root and leaf extracts. The proximate analysis revealed the presence (%) of moisture (41.02 leaf, and 43.10 root), protein (18.11 leaf, 20.64 root), carbohydrate (19.41 leaf, 18.92 root), fat (34.13 leaf, 32.22 root), fibre (5.63leaf, 7.43 root), ash (5.37 leaf, 5.92 root). The mineral analysis revealed, K (6614.00mg/kg root, 5920.42mg/kg leaf), Mg (1621.45mg/kg root,1553.10mg/kg leaf),Na (4340mg/kg root, 4316.29mg/kg leaf), Ca (4331.20mg/kg root,4341.22mg/kg leaf), Fe (121.01mg/kg root, 126.04mg/kg leaf), Cu (32.40mg/kg root, 36.22mg/kg leaf), Zn (60.440mg/kg root, 51.55mg/kg leaf), Mn (22.49mg/kg root, 29.50mg/kg leaf), Co (1.03mg/kg root, 0.93mg/kg leaf). The vitamin composition indicated the presence of ascorbic acid (4.33μg/100g root, 4.28μg/100g leaf), thiamine (B1) – (0.58μg/100g root, 0.63μg/100g leaf), riboflavin (B2) – (0.03μg/100g root, 0.02μg/100g leaf), niacin (0.06μg/100g root, 0.05 μg/100g leaf), cyanocobalamin (B12) –(0.22μg/100g root, 0.16μg/100g leaf). These results indicate that Tetracarpidium conophorum root and leaf contain nutrients and minerals which may be very useful nutritionally. The presence of some phytochemicals including alkaloids, phenols, saponins, flavonoids and gallic acids establish the pharmacological basis of the therapeutic applications of this plant in traditional medicine and as potential source of drug formulation.
