Author(s):

Odangowei I Ogidi, Ngozi G Esie and Oluchi G Dike

Abstract: Bryophyllum pinnatum is an indigenous and exotic plant used widely by the traditional practitioners for treating various ailments like renal calculi, hypertension, asthma, cold, abscesses, bleeding disorders. Phytochemical, proximate and mineral compositions of leaves, stems and roots of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Never die) plant was analyzed using the standard method of Association of Analytical Chemist (AOAC) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometeric (AAS) method. The qualitative phytochemical result showed that plant samples contains alkaloids, tannins, saponin, terpenoid, glycoside, phenols and flavonoid which was absent in the roots of the plant. Quantitative phytochemical results ranges from alkaloid 18.72 ± 5.70%, tannins 12.40 ± 3.64%, saponin 2.46 ± 1.20%, flavonoid 2.36 ± 0.98%, terpenoid 3.77 ± 2.88% and phenol 10.48 ± 8.59%. Proximate results ranges from (3.18± 3.13%) moisture, (1.87 ± 1.81%) ash, (3.79 ± 2.96%) protein, (0.73 ± 0.56%) lipid, (3.10 ± 1.84%) fiber, (96.87 ± 96.81%) dry matter and (92.35 ± 90.90%) nitrogen free element (NFE). Mineral results ranges from 40.88 ± 28.65ppm, 36.56 ± 18.53ppm, 48.72 ± 29.78ppm, 30.4 ± 17.17ppm, 2.339 ± 1.489ppm, 0.27 ± 0.20ppm, 0.20 ± 0.12ppm, 0.087 ± 0.033ppm, 0.66 ± 0.40ppm for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and PO₄ respectively. The presence of these phytochemicals, proximate and mineral elements in the plant could be part of the contributing factors which suggest the use of the plant for various therapeutic applications. This also indicates that Bryophyllum pinnatum plant is a good source of human nutrition and should be included as dietary supplement.

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