Comparative Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Wild and Cultivated Varieties of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) in Anambra State

Vernonia amygdalina, locally known as bitter leaf, is a widely consumed vegetable and ethnomedicinal plant in South East Nigeria with documented biological activities attributed to its diverse bioactive content. Whether wild-growing and cultivated varieties exhibit different phytochemical profiles is an important consideration for both nutritional quality and therapeutic potential. This study carried out a comparative analysis of bioactive compounds in wild and cultivated varieties of Vernonia amygdalina collected from three communities in Anambra State. Samples were collected, dried at 45 degrees Celsius, powdered, and extracted with 80 percent methanol. Quantitative determination of total phenolics, total flavonoids, tannin content, alkaloids, saponins, and vitamins C and E was performed using standard spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods. Wild varieties consistently showed higher concentrations of total phenolics averaging 142 mg GAE/g compared to 108 mg GAE/g in cultivated varieties. Total flavonoid content was significantly greater in wild samples at 86 mg QE/g versus 62 mg QE/g in cultivated ones. Alkaloid content was also higher in wild samples, suggesting a greater secondary metabolite investment related to survival pressures. Vitamin C was slightly higher in cultivated varieties, possibly related to improved soil conditions. These findings suggest that wild Vernonia amygdalina possesses superior phytochemical profiles compared to cultivated counterparts and may offer greater ethnomedicinal value. The results are relevant to traditional medicine practitioners and nutraceutical developers operating in the South East Nigerian context.

Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, bitter leaf, bioactive compounds, phytochemical analysis, Anambra State