Abstract

Momordica charantia is used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine. The nutritional and chemical compositions of M. charantia were investigated using standard analytical methods. The proximate composition showed the percentage moisture, ash, crude lipid, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate content of the plant materials. The calorific values for leaf, fruit and seed were 213.26, 241.66 and 176.61 Kcal/100 g respectively. The elemental analysis of M. charantia leaf revealed the presence of potassium (413 ppm), sodium (2200 ppm), calcium (20510 ppm) as well as zinc (120 ppm). Other elements found present in the leaf include magnesium, iron, manganese and copper. Vitamin A (β-carotene) (0.03 ppm), vitamin E (α-tocopherol) (800 ppm), folic acid (20600 ppm), cyanocobalamin (5355 ppm) and ascorbic acid (66000 ppm) were present. Trace amount of some other vitamins such as niacin (B₃), pyridoxine (B₆) cholecalciferol (Vitamin D) and phylloquinone (Vitamin K) were also found present in the methanolic and pet-ether leaf extract of M. charantia. Phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and glycosides were also found present. The study indicates the presence of nutritional and chemical components that are beneficial in addition to the purported numerous medicinal values of the plant.

Key words: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Momordica charantia, nutrition, phytochemicals, vitamins.