ABSTRACT

Ficies soc (n-ioracea) and .Justicia cornea (Acanthecea) leaves contain some chemical substances and minerals of pharmacological importance. To justify these information, comparative studies have been conducted on their phytochemical. proximate. mineral and anti-nutrient composition as vell as anti-oxidants and anti-microbial activities. Proximate determination of both fresh and div samples shows that they could he referred to as source of protein, carbohydrate, fat and dieary fibre though the percentage concentration varies from one sample to the other. To obtain a required result, the leaf samples were crushed separately to enhance extraction. Aqueous and ethanolic extraction were carried out on both leaves. Some of the samples were boiled and the extract collected to determine the extent at which processing could reduce the concentration (1 nnliputrieit in the samples. The pytochemical cmposition. of both samples as shown in table lbr Jr fresh and boiled Justicia canea leaves are 8.11%, 7.61% and 5.31% for Tannins. 1.24%. 1 22 and 1.03% fbi dry, fiesh and boiled Ficus soc samples. The tannin compoition of los//cia cwncu are significantly different with (P< 0.05) from Ficus cur samples. Saponin composition of Jialicia cornea are 14.27%, 12.33% and 8.11% for dry. fresh and boiled Ficus soc. lust/cia carnea stmdcs also differed significantly (P< 0.05). Alkaloids and fiavonoids composition, the presence of pytochemicals specifically in lies/ic/a carnea is an indication that it could he of importance in treatments of certain disease condition. Their ability to inhibit growth of some organisms such as Salmonella /yphi, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Shigel/a and E.coli at various zones an.! levels of inhibition suggest that it could also serve the purpose of food preservatives. Salmonella typhi had the highest level of inhibition (7.5mm) at 100% concentration of ethanol extract which is significantly different (P<0,05) from 5.5% in 100% concentration of .Jusiicia canica. Tie least level of inhibition 2.5% was obtained in 100% aqueous concentration of lust/cia curocu on F. co/i differ significantly (P>< 0.05) fron 4.5iim obtain in 100% concentration from F. CO/i Fici,v seer sample. The anti-oxidait activity of Ficus stir differed from .1us/ic/a cOrnea.