Anti-Nutritional/Nutritional Analysis and Anti-Microbial Investigation of the Ethanol Extract of the Stem Bark of Leptadenia Hastata (Asclepiadaceae)

The work seeks to determine the nutritional / anti-nutritional profile and ascertain the folkloric potential and the societal usage and value / properties of Leptadenia hastate. Leptadenia hastata (Asclepiadaceae) stem - bark extracted with 95% ethanol, showed presence of anti-nutrients; phytate and oxalate content less than is nutritionally significant, with traces of tannins while rich in protein and fats but low in ash. The anti-microbial activity of the extract using agar diffusion method showed zones of inhibition (mm) against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria; Streptococcus pyogens (12.00±01),Staphylococcus aureus (12.00±01), Escherichia coli, (6.00±0.02) and Shigella dysentrerae (11.00±0.01), respectively. The mineral concentration indicated [in mg / kg), Cu, 0.088, Mn, 0.173, Fe, .0275, Mg, 1.96 and Pb, 0.002; therefore justifies the use of the plant in folklore medicine in North Eastern Nigeria for treatment of such diseases, as ear infection, blood replenishing, constipation, urethral discharge, gonorrhea, stomachache, diarrhea, against milk drying, sexual-impotence, trypanosomiasis, acute rhinopharyngitis, wound and as folder for ruminants. It thus attests to the efficacy of the plant on the management of local ailments and its inclusion in the preparation of local drugs for the above diseases.