Phytochemical and Nutraceutical Potentials of Beach Bean (Canavalia rosea SW.) DC Grown in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Beach Bean is a species of flowering plant of the genus Canavalia in the pea family, Fabaceae that has a pantropical distribution. This study aims to determine the phytochemical and neutraceutical activities of Beach Bean grown in Anyigba area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Beach Bean (Canavalia rosea) leaf and seed were dried in the powder form, then the leaves and seeds of 200 grams each were extracted in 2000 ml of aqueous. The macerated for 48 hours and filtered using filter paper and filter pump. The sample was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and freeze-dried to powdered form. The filtrate obtained from each extraction was tested for alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenol, fat and oils, steroids, tannins and glycosides. The proximate analysis of the samples was carried out for moisture content, ash, fat, crude protein, crude fibre after drying the samples of Beach Bean at room temperature. Vitamins A, E, B and C were determined and the mineral elements were determined by the dry ash extraction. The phytochemical components of secondary metabolites of the extracts from the obtained result, anthraquinone and tannins (leaf) were not present in the extracts. The proximate composition of nutritive value of seed and leaves has a higher value of crude protein of amounting to 50.84% while the leaves have crude protein value of 30.59%, carbohydrates percentage of the leaves was higher (40.60%) while the seed has 26.98%. The percentage of ash content which is an indicator of the quality of mineral nutrients present has a value of 8.45% in leaves and 2.53% in the seed. By implication, the leaves are richer in mineral nutrients/elements than the seeds. This research classified a large number of nutraceuticals available from various sources and their significant uses in the treatment of various diseases such as Cardiovascular, Obesity, Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Inflammatory, and Allergy. These are cured by herbal nutraceuticals or food herb dietary condiment for phytotherapeutic purposes.