IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, MINERALS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF Amaranthus hybridus LEAVES – BIU Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 2(1): 13 – 23, 2016; Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria; ISSN: 2563-6424; USUNOBUN, U., AKOMA, O. C. AND EKPEMUPOLO, I. S.
ABSTRACT
Amaranthus hybridus constitutes a major part of the diet of the people in the middle and southern parts of Nigeria, where they are mostly used in soups. This study was carried out to screen for bioactive agents, minerals using standard procedures as well as in vitro antioxidant activity using reducing power and DPPH scavenging assays. The result of screened phytochemicals showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins while reducing power and DPPH scavenging activity showed a concentration-dependent increase as the concentration increased from 0.2mg/ml to 1.0mg/ml. Ascorbic acid content was found to be 154 ± 8.76mg/100g. Of the minerals in mg/100g, calcium was higher in concentration (320.60 ± 1.51) while chromium was least in concentration (0.68 ± 0.20). Other minerals present were magnesium (153.60 ± 1.13), potassium (132.40 ± 1.11), sodium (69.05 ± 0.82), iron (36.79 ± 0.70), zinc (4.07 ± 0.32), copper (1.81 ± 0.20) and manganese (1.21 ± 0.23). The presence of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids as well as minerals, ascorbic acid and in vitro antioxidants activities in Amaranthus hybridus leaves contributes to their medicinal and health benefits.