Proximate Composition And Phytochemical Constituents Of Aspilia africana (Pers) C. D. Adams and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray Stems (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Proximate composition and phytochemical constituents of stems of A. africana and T. diversifolia (Asteraceae) were investigated. The stems of these species contain anti-oxidant, anticancer, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties which cures malaria, skin diseases, athlete’s foot, asthma, gonorrhoea and to stop bleeding. The stems of these two species revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides. The proximate analysis of the stems of A. africana and T. diversifolia showed the moisture content of 15.7% and 20.6%, total ash of 6.10% and 6.55%, acid insoluble ash of 0.55% and 0.33%, sulphated ash of 18.8% and 14.0%, protein content of 7.87% and 9.62%, fat of 3.68% and 4.21%, fibre of 12.30% and 15.82%, carbohydrate of 75.97% and 70.35%, volatile ether soluble of 7.33% and 1.66%, water soluble of 3.33% and 0.33% and diluted alcohol soluble of 5.33% and 5.66%. The results of this study suggest the popular use of A. africana and T. diversifolia in herbal medicine.