ABSTRACT

The determination of Macro-element composition in Fiscus carica leaves from Nto Etonne in Essien Udim Local Government Area was carried out using standard analytical methods. The result of the analysis revealed that calcium (Ca) (25.55  0.005mg/100g). sodium (Na) (28.28  0.004mg/100g), potassium (K) (19.26  0.006mg/100g), phosphorus (P) (9.13  0.004mg/100g) and magnesium (Mg) (21.07  0.008mg/100g) respectively. All the analyzed elements where found to be below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA’s 2014). Hence Fiscus carica leaves should be collected, utilized and consume to meet up the body requirement for major elements, also utilized pharmaceutically for the formulation of drugs, because of its healing benefits.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page-   –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         i

Certification-          –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ii

Dedication-  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iii

Acknowledgement-         –         –         –         –         –         –         iv

Abstract-      –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         v

Table of contents-  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         vi-xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study- – –         –         –         –         1-3

1.2 Aim and objectives of the study- –         –         –         3

1.3 Scope and limitation of the study- –         –         –         4

1.4 Definition of terms- –         –         –         –         –         4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     Description, origin and Distribution of Ficus carica-        5-6

2.2     Phytochemistry of Ficus carica–          –         –         –         6-9

2.3     Biological Activities of Ficus carica–  –         –         –         9

2.3.1  Antioxidant Activity-       –         –         –         –         –         9-11

2.3.2  Anticancer Activity-        –         –         –         –         –         11

2.3.3  Antibacterial Activity and Anti-Fungal Activity-     –         11-12

2.3.4  Antispasmodic and Antiplatelet Activity-      –         –         12-13

2.3.5  Hypoglycemic Activity-  –         –         –         –         –         13

2.4     Macro Elements-   –         –         –         –         –         –         13

2.4.1  Calcium (Ca)-        –         –         –         –         –         –         13-16

2.4.2  Phosphorus (P)-     –         –         –         –         –         –         16-18

2.4.3  Sodium (Na)-        –         –         –         –         –         –         18-19

2.4.4  Potassium (K)-      –         –         –         –         –         –         20-21

2.5.4  Magnesium (Mg)- –         –         –         –         –         –         21-23

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1     Materials and Reagents-   –         –         –         –         –         24

3.2     Methods-     –         –         –         –         –         –         –         25

3.2.1  Sample Collection-          –         –         –         –         –         25

3.2.2  Sample Preparation-        –         –         –         –         –         25

3.2.3  Digestion of Sample-       –         –         –         –         –         25-26

3.2.4  Analysis of Macro Element content`-  –         –         –         26

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1     Results-        –         –         –         –         –         –         –         27

4.2     Discussion-  –         –         –         –         –         –         –         28-31

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1     Conclusion- –         –         –         –         –         –         –         32

5.2     Recommendations-          –         –         –         –         –         32-33

References

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Ficus (Moraceae) comprises one of the largest genera of angiosperms with more than 800n species of tree, shrubs, hemiepiphytes, climbens, and creepers in the tropics and subtropics worldwide (Frodin, 2004). This genus is an important genetic resource due to its high economic and nutritional values and also an important part of the biodiversity in the rain forest ecosystem. It is also a good source of food far fruit- eating animals in tropical areas (Roosted et al., 2007). The genus is divided into six sub-genera based on preliminary, morphology. The monoecious subgenus urostigma is the largest with about 280 species all inclusive, and most of them display distinctive hemiepiphytic habits. Ficus includes 23 species of hemiepiphytes and lithophytes which produce aerial and creeping root systems (Roosted et al., 2008).

F. carica L. is an important member of the genus ficus. It is ordinarily deciduous and commonly referred to as “fig”. the common fig is a tree native to southwest Asia and the eaterm Mediterranean, and it is one of the first plants that were cultivated by humans. The fig is an important harvest worldwide for its dry fresh consumption. Its common edible part is the fruit which is fleshy, hollow, and receptacle (Duenas et al., 2008). The dried fruits of F. carica have been reported as an important source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds (Veberic et al., 2008). The fresh and dried fig also contain high amounts of fiber and polyphenols (Vinsen et al., 2005). Figs are an polyphenols (Vinson et al., 2005). Figs are an excellent source of pheolic compound, such proanthocyanins, whereas red wine and tea, which are two good sources of phenolic compound contain phenols lower than those in fig (Vinson et al., 1998). Its fruit, root, and leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as gastrointestinal (Colic, indigestion, loss of appetite and diarrhea), respiratory (sore throats, coughs, and brouchial problems), and cardiovascular disorders and as anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic remedy (Duke et al., 2002). Nutrition is the study of the action of biologically active components of food and their role in maintaining human health. Nutrition is an applied Medical science. The basic nutritional needs of humans are to apply energy and raw materials for all the various activities and processes that occur in the body. In addition to the need for water, humans for water, humans require five types of nutrients from their food supply; three of these are required in relatively large amounts and are called macronutrients, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The other two types of nutrients vitamins and minerals, are required in small amounts and are known as micronutrients.

1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study

This research work is aimed at determining the mineral element contents of Ficus carica leaf mineral element contents of Ficus carica leaf extracts.

The above aim will be achieved through the following objectives:-

• To collect and process the leaf of Ficus carica for further analysis.
• To carry out mineral element analysis on the various extract of Ficus carica
• To determine the macro element (Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Magnesium content of Ficus carica /fig leaves).

1.3 Scope and Limitations

The design of the research project is to investigate and determine the macro nutrient composition in Ficus carica (fig leaves). This research work could not go beyond this, due to financial constraint and lack of time.

1.4 Definition of Terms

Macronutrient: – Macronutritent are nutritional components of food required in large quantity for body energy and metabolic function.

Ficus carica:- A Fiscus carica is a tree used for concealing the genitals in pain and sculpture.

Micronutrient: Micronutrient are nutritional components of food required in small quantity for body energy and metabolic function.