Quantitative And Qualitative Evaluation Oe Nutritive And Phytochemical Propertiese Of Ipomoea Batatas(Sweet Potato):- Ikedinma Godson I

ABSTRACT Ipomoea batatas (Sweet potato) is an indigenous food plant that is consumed by different tribes in Nigeria, and in many other countries, as a vegetable. The plant extract* ofIpomoea batatas leaves were analyzed for their phytochemical, vitamins and proximate constituents using standard methods. The phytochemical analysis of Ipomoea balatas showed the presence of different phytocompounds which includes steroids, Phenol, saponins, alkaloid and flavonoid. The concentration of Saponin (12.761 ± ().219%), and alkaloids (11.7035 ± 0.2585%), was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to other bioactive compounds detected. The analysis also showed presence of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. vitamin A was significantly (P<0.05) found at a higher concentration (112.28 ± 0.28mg/100), while vitamin E (19.105 ± 0.148mg/100) showed the lowest concentration. Proximate analysis of Ipomoea batatas revealed that the leaves contained crude fiber (12.41 ± 0.160%), carbohydrates (23.216 ± 0.490%), protein (24.165 ± 0.065%), fat (7.20 ± 0.141%), moisture (24.095 ± 0.135%), and ash content (9.321 ± 0.145%). The result of the analysis revealed that the leaves of Ipomoea batatas contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, vitamins and bioactive compounds hence should be included in diets as supplement and pharmacologically as therapeutics and medicinal leafy vegetable in the treatment of diseases.