Comparison of the Proximate Composition, Vitamins (Ascorbic Acid, α-Tocopherol and Retinol), Anti-Nutrients (Phytate and Oxalate) and the GC-MS Analysis of the Essential Oil of the Root and Leaf of Rumex crispus L.

Medicinal plants are a pertinent and effective remedy, employed in indigenous healthcare systems by traditional healers. This study focused on proximate parameters, minerals, vitamins, anti-nutrients and essential oil of the root and leaf of the medicinal plant; <i>R. crispus</i>, using the standard food analysis techniques. The result reveals that the moisture content of the leaf (7.57 &#177; 0.40%) and root (7.59 &#177; 0.08%) was not significantly different. The leaf has a higher ash, crude fat, fibre and mineral content than the root, except the carbohydrate (57.74 &#177; 3.06%) and Ca (1190.0 &#177; 0 mg/100g) values which are quite higher in the root. Traces of phytate was found in the leaf (1.15 &#177; 0.74%) and root (1.38 &#177; 0.27%) of <i>R. crispus</i>. The highest value of retinol, ascorbic acid and &#945;-tocopherol was found in dried leaf (1.29 &#177; 0.014 mg retinol/100g), fresh leaf (159.73 &#177; 26.77 mg ascorbic acid/100g) and fresh root (54.90 &#177; 0.39 mg &#945;-tocopherol/100g) respectively. The principal compound in the essential oil of the leaf are; 5-Eicosene, (E)-, docos-1-ene, trans-5-Octadecene, tetradecane while those found in the root are; 1-Heptacosanol, 4-Methyloctane, ethylcyclohexane, eucalyptol, m-Xylene, octadecane, phytol, and tetradecane. The research reveals that <i>R. crispus</i> may not only be used for medicinal purposes but could also be suitable for a complementary diet.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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