Proximate and Mineral Analysis of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Napoleona imperialis (mkpodu)

Napoleona imperialis is an evergreen non-timber plant that has wound healing and antihypertensive effect. The study was undertaken to evaluate the proximate and elemental analyses of the leaf of Napoleona imperialis. The mineral elements were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, equipped with air acetylene flame; spectrophotometer and flame photometer. The proximate analyses were carried out using standard methods. The proximate analysis of the leaves of Napoleona imperialis showed that it contained moisture 3.78%, crude fiber 8.03%, crude fat 6.45%, ash 5.2%, crude protein 13.13% and carbohydrate 63.44%. The mineral analysis of the leaves showed sodium (16.5947 ppm), potassium (3.3134 ppm), calcium (15.000 ppm), iron (8.350 ppm), copper (0.703 ppm) and zinc (8.0455 ppm). The presence of minerals like Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn in concentrations admissible for human consumption Vis-a’-Vis World Health Organization Standard suggests its beneficial effect in enhancing metabolic processes via enzyme activation hence its ethno-medicinal potential.