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Volume 13 | Issue 2 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJAC-V13I2P105 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23939133/IJAC-V13I2P105

Proximate Composition, Mineral Profile, Phytochemical Constituents, and Antioxidant Potential of the Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Hilleria Latifolia (whole plant)

Nurudeen A. Oladejo, Julius U. Iyasele, Buniyamin A. Ayinde, Osahon K. Ogbeide

Received Revised Accepted Published
08 Jun 2026 18 Jul 2026 13 Aug 2026 31 Aug 2026

Citation :

Nurudeen A. Oladejo, Julius U. Iyasele, Buniyamin A. Ayinde, Osahon K. Ogbeide, "Proximate Composition, Mineral Profile, Phytochemical Constituents, and Antioxidant Potential of the Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Hilleria Latifolia (whole plant)," International Journal of Applied Chemistry, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 41-52, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939133/IJAC-V13I2P105

Abstract

Research was carried out on the proximate, mineral, and phytochemical investigations, together with the antioxidant potential of the methanol extract and solvent fractions of Hilleria latifolia (whole plant) (Phytolaccaceae). The plant was collected from Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria, authenticated, and extracted using absolute methanol by Soxhlet extraction. The crude methanol extract was subjected to solvent partitioning to obtain aqueous and chloroform fractions. Phytochemical examination showed that coumarins, saponins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, phenolic constituents, and cardiac glycosides were present, whereas phlobatannins were not detected. Proximate examination showed moisture content (10.30%), protein (12.02%), fat (9.50%), fiber (14.89%), ash (20.20%), and carbohydrates (33.09%). Mineral content revealed Calcium (2885.76 ppm), Potassium (2698.30 ppm), Magnesium (1458.72 ppm), Iron (69.50 ppm), Sodium (48.76 ppm), Zinc (6.60 ppm), Copper (1.10 ppm), and Manganese (21.42), while the Lead and Cadmium contents were negligible. The aqueous fraction had the highest total phenolics (540.61 ± 8.98 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (416.13 ± 8.93 mg QE/g), which correlated with its superior antioxidant activity as demonstrated by its lowest DPPH IC₅₀ (79.75 μg/mL) and highest FRAP value (853.05 mg AAE/g). These findings suggest that H. latifolia has a favourable nutritional profile, rich mineral content, and potent antioxidant properties supporting its nutritional and medicinal potential.

Keywords

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activities, Mineral Content, Medicinal Plants.

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