Antifungal effect and phytochemical screening of Telfairia occidentalis (hook f.) Leaf extracts.

Umeoka Nkiru

Abstract

Telfairia occidentalis leaf is a very rich source of phytochemicals and the intake of these plant chemicals have a protective potential against some tropical disease in the use of leaf in folk medicine in Nigeria. The phytochemical screening of Telfairia occidentalis leaf extract shows that it contains Alkaloid 1.35%, Flavonoid 1.50%, Tannin 0.437%, Saponin 3.60%, Phytate 0.095%, Phenol 12.20%, HCN 0.0135% and the Vitamin contents are Vitamin A 16.61 mg/100 g, Vitamin C 64.13 mg/100 g, Riboflavin (B2) 12.38 mg/100 g. The antifungal activity revealed that the leaf of the aqueous extract can be used to inhibit the growth of all the four organisms used (Geotrichum candidum, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer). This result shows that the ethanolic extract have higher inhibitory effect than the aqueous extract. The result also shows that this leafy vegetable have high nutritional value and should be added to our dietary intake. This leafy vegetable also tends to bring down glucose level when taken in large quantity with small portion of carbohydrate food (for diabetic patient).