Phytochemical and Proximate Analysis of Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) Leaves from Rivers State

Gongronema latifolium, commonly known as utazi in South South Nigeria, is a perennial plant whose leaves are used both as a food seasoning and as a traditional medicine for managing diabetes, malaria, and gastrointestinal disorders. Despite its importance in Rivers State cuisine and ethnomedicine, systematic documentation of its chemical composition from locally sourced specimens is limited. This study performed phytochemical screening and proximate analysis of Gongronema latifolium leaves collected from three local government areas in Rivers State. Leaves were shade-dried, pulverised, and subjected to qualitative phytochemical tests for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides using standard procedures. Proximate analysis for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, total ash, and carbohydrate content was carried out according to AOAC methods. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids, while cardiac glycosides were absent. Quantitative analysis revealed total flavonoid content of 7.4 mg QE/g and total phenolic content of 84.2 mg GAE/g. Crude protein was 20.4 percent on a dry weight basis, indicating significant nutritional value. Crude fat was 4.8 percent. Total ash was 9.6 percent, indicating a rich mineral content. These results provide scientific validation for the traditional use of utazi as both a food and medicinal plant in South South Nigeria and suggest potential for development into standardised herbal supplements or functional food ingredients.

Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, utazi, phytochemical analysis, proximate composition, Rivers State