PROJECT CODE: 000265

ESTIMATION OF TOTAL REDUCING SUGAR, PHENOLIC

CONTENT AND DPPH RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY
ON BITTER LEAF (VERNONIA AMYGDALINA) LEAVES AND
PUMPKIN (TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS) FROM ISOKO
SOUTH, UDU AND UVWIE L.G.As OF DELTA STATE

BY

VICTOR G. OREVAOGHENE

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA, NIGERIA.

JUNE, 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Cover page - - - - - - - - i
Title page - - - - - - - - - ii
Certification - - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgment - - - - - - - - v
Table of Contents - - - - - - - - vi
Abstract - - - - - - - - - ix
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - 1
1.1 Significant of the Study - - - - - - 5
1.2 Aim and Objective - - - - - - - 6
CHAPTER TWO: GENERAL INFORMATION ON VERNONIA
AMYGDALINA AND TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS
2.0 Vernonia Amygdalina - - - - - - 7
2.1 Scientific Classification Vernonia Amygdalina - - 9sss
2.2 Telfairia Occidentalis - - - - - - 12
2.2.1 Scientific Classification of Telfairia Occidentalis - - 14
2.3 Some Phytochemical Constituent Of Vernonia
Amygdalina and Telfairia Occidentalis - - - 14
2.4 Health Benefits Of Vernonia Amygdalina And
Terfairia Occidentalis - - - - - - 25
2.5 Reducing Sugar - - - - - - 30
2.6 Total Phenolic Content/Compounds - - - - - 33
2.7 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) - - - 36
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD
3.0 Materials - - - - - - - - 39
3.1 Equipment - - - - - - - - 39

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3.2 Apparatus - - - - - - - - 40
3.3 Chemicals/Reagents - - - - - - 41
3.4 Sample Collection - - - - - - - 42
3.5 Sample Extraction- - - - - - - 42
3.6 Biochemical Assay- - - - - - - 42
3.7 Statistical Analysis- - - - - - - 46
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Result- - - - - - - - - 47

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion - - - - - - - - 56

5.1 Conclusion - - - - - - - - 60

5.2 Recommendation - - - - - - - 61

References - - - - - - - - 62

Appendix - - - - - - - - 71

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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to access the nutritional value and anti-oxidant
properties of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) and Terfairia occidentalis
(fluted pumpkin) leaf from Isoko south, Udu and Uvwie local government
areas of Delta State. Biochemical parameters assessed during this research
work include 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging
activity, total reducing sugar, total phenol content. The research of this study
shows an increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity bitter leaf gotten
from Udu (84.5 0.65%RSA) and pumpkin leaf gotten from Uvwie (86.43
2.43% RSA), differing from other local government at p<0.05. While
bitter leaf gotten from Isoko south (3.47 0.33mg AAE/ml) and also
pumpkin leaf gotten from Uvwie (2.92 0.03mg AAE/ml) shows an
increase in their phenolic content. Result observed from the level of
reducing sugar in bitter leaf gotten from Udu (14.8 1.37mg/ml) and
pumpkin from Udu (24.3 0.55mg/ml) was significantly higher at p<0.05 in
their reducing sugar content. Thus, the results obtained from this study are
indications of the possible use of V.amygdalina and T. occidentalis for
human consumption because of its antioxidant properties which aids in the
treatment of some ailment, and also in the scavenging of free radicals.

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The process of oxidation is intrinsic in the management of energy of

all living organism and therefore are kept under strict control by several
cellular mechanism (Halliwell, 2007). Oxidation mediated by free radical
reactions is also responsible for the rancidity of unpreserved food rich in
unsaturated fatty acids and the nature anti-oxidants are suggested as superior
alternative for synthetic ones (Li et al., 2008). Therefore, there is a growing
interest day by day in the substances exhibiting antioxidant properties, which
are supplies to humans and animals as food components or as specific
preventative pharmaceuticals (Sarikurkcu et al., 2009).

The plant kingdom is a good source to produce a wide range of

natural anti-oxidants. Nigeria is blessed with enormous biodiversity
resources the plant resources are diverse and some of them could be use for
food and remedy for natives. Edible to leaves from vegetable plants are
eaten as supporting food or main dishes. They may be aromatic, bitter or
tasteless but are the cheapest and most accessible source of proteins,
vitamins, mineral, and the essential amino acids (Fasuyi, 2006). Leafy
vegetables are important items of diet. In many Nigeria homes, they add

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flavour; test, colour and aesthetic appeal to what would otherwise be a

monotonous diet.

Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) is a widely use local plant in

Nigeria for both therapeutic and nutritional purpose. It is a shrub tree of 2-
5meters. The leaves are green with a characteristic odor and bitter taste
(Bonsi et al., 1995a). They are use for human and animal consumption.

For human consumption, it s washed to get rid of the bitter taste and
used as vegetable. It stimulates the digestive system as well as helps to
reduce fever. The plant is well known for its ant-diabetic and anti-
hypertensive properties and also in the treatment of headache and fever
(Oboh et al., 2006).

The plant has a variety of names in various languages, in English it is

referred to as bitter leaf (Okokon and Onah, 2004). In Yoruba, Olubu, in
TIV Ityna, Oriwo in Edo State, Orugbo in Isoko and Chusar-doki in
Hausa (Egedigwe, 2010). It is drought-resistant and thrive in humid
environments (Ijeh and Ejikeh, 2011). It contains significant quantities of
lipids (Ejoh et al., 2007), proteins with amino acids, carbohydrates,
(Eleyinmi et al., 2008) and carotenoids, though not in large quantities

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(Udensi et al., 2002). Also contains essential elements such as iron, protein,
potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and cobalt (Joseph et al., 2013).

Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin) is one of the most common

and popular cut herbs grown mainly in west and central Africa, most
frequently in Benin, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameron (Kayode and Kayode,
2011). It is a cotyledonous plant with about go general and more than 700
species which are distributed all over the world.

The plant is a dioecious, perennial, drought tolerant tropical clambers

having pentangular stem and tendrils attached to the nodes at 900 with dark
green leaves 9about 3-5 leaflet), fruits (gourds), flowers which are white and
dark purple and also seeds.

The potential of a particular food is determined by its nutrient

composition. Leafy vegetable are known to add taste and flavors as well as a
substantial amount of protein, fibers, minerals and vitamins to diet (Oboh
and Akindahunsi, 2004). It has been reported that leafy vegetable are
generally good sources of nutrients and are highly beneficial for the
maintenance of good health and prevention of disease (Adaramoye et al.,
2007).

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The leaves are low in crude fibre, but rich source of folic acid,
calcium, zinc, potassium, cobalt, copper, iron, vitamin A, C and K and
medicinal value. (Ajibade et al., 2006). As a result of the richness of iron in
the leaves, it can prevent and also eliminate anemia (Ajibade et al., 2006).
Consumption of the leaves assist to combat certain diseases due to the
presence of anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties. Its minerals, (most
especially siron), vitamin (such as A and C) have high protein contents
(Kayode and Kayode, 2011).

The fibre content of pumpkin leaf extract is 6-31%. The seed contains
13% of oil and it is used for cooking (Horsefall and Spitt, 2005). They are
rich in 10dine compared to palm oil indicating the oil has high content of
unsaturated fatty acids relative to palm oil. It may be used as edible oil for
the manufacturing of margarine (Christian, 2007).

The leaf extract is also useful in the management of cholesterolemia,

liver problem and impaired defense in immune system system (Eseyin et al.,
2005).

1.2 Significant of the Study

The significant of this project work is to assist the promotion of the

use of pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis) and Bitterleaf (vernonia
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amygdalina) as a nutritional entity in our daily diet due to the presence of

anti-oxidant component in its leaves, also for the establishment of their
phytochemical properties for better understanding.

1.3 Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study is to access the nutritional value and anti -
oxidant properties of Vernonia amygdalina and Telfairia occidentalis leaves
from Isoko-south, Uvwie, and Udu Local Government areas of Delta State.

The objective of this study is to estimate the total reducing sugar, total
phenolic content, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) radical scavenging
activities of V. amygdalina (bitterleaf) and T. occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin)
leaves from Isoko-south, Uvwie, and Udu Local Government areas of Delta
State.

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